Prime Minister’s Information and Broadcasting Adviser Dr Zahed Ur Rahman has said that individuals associated with the Awami League will be able to contest the next local government elections, provided they do so in a personal capacity rather than as representatives of the party.
Speaking at a press conference on government initiatives in the Press Information Department conference room in the Secretariat on Tuesday, he responded to questions about whether members of the Awami League would be allowed to participate in the upcoming local polls while the party remains subject to a ban on its organisational activities.
Dr Zahed said there would be no restriction on eligible individuals seeking elected office because local government elections are held on a non-party basis.
“There is no problem at all. If a person wants to participate in the election and fulfils the required criteria, he or she can contest,” he said.
Asked whether candidates who continue to hold positions within the Awami League would be permitted to run, the adviser said those positions could not be used in any official or political capacity while the party’s organisational activities were still prohibited.
“Since the Awami League has prohibited its organisational activities, those positions cannot be used. However, as individuals, anyone who meets the necessary criteria and wishes to contest the election may do so,” he said.
He added that the government sees no reason to prevent any qualified individual from participating in the local government elections, provided they meet the required eligibility criteria.
