Hasina pitches for local government elections along party lines

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina favours local government elections in Bangladesh held in a partisan manner.

She voiced her opinion on Wednesday while answering an MP’s in Parliament amid the build-up to the Dhaka North, Dhaka South and Chittagong city corporations polls.

Elections to local government bodies -- City Corporation, Upazila, Municipality and Union Parishad –- are officially non-partisan but parties can support candidates.

The candidates are also prohibited from running partisan campaigns or using the logo, names or pictures of the leaders of political parties, according to the electoral code of conduct.

“I think all local government polls should be held in the same way as national election is held,” Hasina said.

“Though these polls are held in a non-partisan way, the parties make the calculations. What matters most is the results that are counted in the name of a party.”

“But the parties don’t face accountability as the polls are non-partisan. No (constitutional) measures can be taken if anyone commits crime.”

“That’s why these local government polls should be held like the general election to ensure transparency and accountability,” said the Awami League chief.

Mainly leaders from different political parties run for the local government posts and in most cases, the parties select the candidates.

Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Minister and Awami League General Secretary Syed Ashraful Islam in March last year had hinted that the law could be amended to allow civic polls along party lines.

The prime minister also on Wednesday told Parliament that the law was needed change to hold partisan local government elections like in the USA and the UK.

"The law should be amended so that elections to all local government level are held in a partisan manner and all political parties can give nominations in the elections."

Hasina, however, said the government in no way would intervene in the upcoming city corporation elections in Dhaka and Chittagong.

“The Election Commission will hold the polls the way it deems fit. The government will only provide assistance they seek.”

The ruling party leaders say they believe the BNP leaders who filed nominations to run in city corporation elections will eventually pull out of the race in the end.

But the BNP-backed aspirants so far have only demanded of the EC to level the playing field for all contenders.

Answering a question regarding the issue, Hasina said, “It is not clear what the BNP means by a level playing field. They are still undecided about whether they will be in the election.”

She, however, found the BNP’s decision to take part in the city polls ‘positive’.

“They have come to their senses. They have nominated their candidates even after saying that they won’t go to any election under our government.”

“But now they are demanding a level playing field to back off,” she added.