Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has issued a directive prohibiting the participation of offspring, family members, and close relatives of party MPs, ministers, and favored candidates in the upcoming upazila elections, aiming to ensure fairness and transparency in the electoral process.
Party leaders have rallied behind the Prime Minister`s decree, emphasizing the importance of adherence to promote impartiality and integrity in the elections. This move is intended to eradicate bias from the electoral arena, with stern warnings of disciplinary action against any violators.
The decision comes in response to recent incidents of coercion and undue influence, such as the threat made by MP Mohammad Ekramul Karim Chowdhury in Noakhali`s Subarnachar, who allegedly warned of neglecting development in the area if his son`s candidacy was not supported. This prompted the party leadership to assert the authority of the party president.
Confirming the Prime Minister`s directive, Awami League Organizing Secretary SM Kamal underscored the party`s commitment to upholding democratic principles and vowed to address any instances of non-compliance during district-level engagements.
In the event of defiance against the Prime Minister`s order in the upcoming upazila elections, Awami League Joint General Secretary AFM Bahauddin Nashim affirmed that disciplinary measures would be enforced by the party.
The upazila elections, slated to be conducted in four phases, will witness heightened scrutiny to ensure compliance with the party`s directive. Reports indicate that candidates affiliated with MPs, ministers, and favored individuals have already emerged in several upazilas, prompting criticism from within the party ranks.
Awami League presidium member Mustafa Jalal Mohiuddin denounced the trend of familial candidacies, emphasizing the need for merit-based selection and condemning the use of coercion and undue influence.
The Prime Minister`s stance on electoral integrity comes in the wake of escalating tensions and controversies surrounding candidate nominations, with reports of misconduct and irregularities surfacing in various constituencies.
Responding to the developments, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader convened a meeting with party leaders to discuss the implementation of the Prime Minister`s directive and reinforce the party`s commitment to fair and transparent elections.
The decision of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to bar the offspring, family members, and close relatives of party MPs, ministers, and favored candidates from participating in the upcoming upazila elections has stirred significant discourse within the political landscape.
Mustafa Jalal Mohiuddin, an Awami League presidium member, reiterated the Prime Minister`s directive, emphasizing the importance of adhering to the party`s decision. He asserted, "The leader has instructed us unequivocally that no one associated with MPs, ministers, or district leaders should be considered as `my man.`"
When questioned about potential disciplinary measures for non-compliance, Mohiuddin refrained from divulging specifics, citing the need for further deliberation. He emphasized, "It is premature to discuss organizational action at this stage, but it is imperative to uphold the party`s mandate."
SM Kamal, another key figure within the Awami League hierarchy, deferred to the Prime Minister`s authority on the matter, stating, "Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina holds the ultimate decision-making power. We will await her guidance on this issue and work diligently to implement her directives."
Mohiuddin underscored the importance of prioritizing merit and popular support in candidate selection, emphasizing the significance of grassroots activism within the party.
Meanwhile, a comprehensive list detailing the relatives of MPs and ministers vying for positions in the upcoming Upazila elections has surfaced:
Shariful Haque (Palash), brother-in-law of Anwar Ashraf Khan, MP of Palash, Narsingdi.
Bimal Shikder, younger brother of MP Shri Biren Shikder of Magura-2 Constituency.
Shahadat Mannan, son of Sunamganj MP MA Mannan, standing in Shantiganj.
Fazle Rabbi, son of Shamsunnahar Begum, former MP of Sunamganj reserved constituency.
Israfil Hossain, brother-in-law of MP Zahid Malek of Manikganj Sadar.
Ataur Rahman, cousin of Mahbub-ul Alam Hanif, MP of Kushtia-3 Constituency.
Benu, `My Man` and relative of MP Shafiqul Islam of Sirajganj-4 Constituency, standing in Ullapara.
Ashiq Ali, son of MP Mohammad Ali, standing in Hatia.
Atahar Ishrak Shabab Chowdhury, son of Noakhali-4 Constituency MP Mohammad Ekramul Karim
Chowdhury, standing in Subarnachar.
Khalat brother of Abdur Razzak, former Minister of Agriculture, and `My Man` Noor e Alam, standing in Dhanbaria and Nazirpur respectively.
Ashiq Abdullah, younger son of MP Abul Hasanat Abdullah of Barisal-1 Constituency, standing in Agailjhara.
The Election Commission (EC) has decided to conduct polling in 4 phases in 495 upazilas in the country. Polling in the first phase is scheduled to be held on May 8. After that, the date of submission of nomination papers in 161 and 112 upazilas of the third phase has been announced till April 21 in the second phase.
