Photo : Messenger
Bangladesh Awami League (AL), the ruling party, is gearing up for the 12th parliamentary elections scheduled for the first week of January next year. The AL is making extensive preparations, fully aware that its main rival, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has decided not to participate in the polls.
Insiders within the AL revealed that while the BNP and its allies aim to resist the upcoming national elections, the AL-led government is steadfast in its objective to complete the polls on time, adhering to the constitutional guidelines of the country.
Simultaneously, the opposition BNP and its allies are enforcing a continuous nationwide blockade, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and advocating for the next general elections to be conducted under a neutral caretaker administration.
BNP insiders emphasise that they will not participate in the upcoming polls if held under the current Sheikh Hasina government. They vow to resist the elections at any cost, potentially leading the country into a prolonged political deadlock.
Anticipating the BNP's plans to boycott and resist the elections, leaders and workers of the ruling Awami League have been directed to take precautionary measures in the streets. The AL aims to thwart any attempts by the BNP to disrupt the electoral process.
Meanwhile, AL party chief Sheikh Hasina has already instructed her party members to make elaborate preparations for the upcoming general elections, with the goal of securing victory for her party's symbol, the boat (Nouka). She urged party leaders, activists, and prospective candidates to conduct door-to-door visits to voters and highlight the government's success stories as part of the election campaign.
In a crucial move, Sheikh Hasina convened the Awami League Central Working Committee meeting at her official residence, Ganabhaban, on Thursday night. During the meeting, the AL chief formed the 'National Election Steering Committee' for the 12th national parliamentary elections as part of the party's election preparation. Additionally, 14 sub-committees have been formed to manage various aspects of the election process.
In a conversation with this correspondent regarding the matter, AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader said, "We are actively involved in election preparations at the moment. Simultaneously, we have advised our party leaders and workers to remain vigilant against any subversive activities linked to BNP-Jamaat elements. Our goal is to ensure a favourable and stable election atmosphere."
Talking to this correspondent, AL presidium member Jahangir Kabir Nanok said, “Our party president, Sheikh Hasina, convenes meetings in her capacity as the party's chairwoman from six in the evening to nine on Thursday night. During these sessions, crucial discussions, decisions, and resolutions regarding the upcoming election, including the formation of the Election Steering Committee, are undertaken.”
The Election Steering Committee has been successfully formed, with Sheikh Hasina appointed as the chairwoman, and our party's general secretary, Obaidul Quader, assuming the role of member secretary for the Election Steering Committee, he said.
“Our primary objective is to conduct a free, fair, and credible election on schedule, in accordance with constitutional guidelines, and we have undertaken comprehensive preparations to achieve this goal. Therefore, we are not concerned about who will or will not participate in the polls,” he said.
Mirza Azam, the organising secretary of the Awami League, said, “Our election preparations started long ago. Now the party is fully involved in the election process. Now our aim is to hold a free, fair election.”
He mentioned, "The election schedule will be announced in the coming week, and immediately after the release of election details, the sale of our party nomination forms will commence at the party headquarters, Bangabandhu Avenue. In light of this, our party has developed strategies to ignite election enthusiasm across the country.”
According to sources within the Awami League, for the conduct of election activities after the declaration of election details, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in her capacity as the head of the Awami League, will work from the Dhaka district Awami League office in Tejgaon. This office near the truck terminal in Tejgaon was inaugurated in June.
Messenger/Disha
