Upazila elections and the role of Ministers and MPs

The politics of Trinamool (Grassroots) has become extremely active this Eid. The Upazila Parishad elections are set to begin after Eid. Voting will take place in four phases across the country's 481 Upazilas. Details of the elections for two phases have been announced. In the first phase, voting will be held in 152 Upazilas on May 8, and in the second phase, voting will take place in 161 Upazilas on May 21. Details of the remaining two phases have not yet been announced.

Upazila elections are essential and important for the socio-economic development of the Trinamool community. As a result, potential candidates are now reaching out to ordinary voters alongside party activists, focusing on Eid. Many have extended Eid greetings through posters and banners. Some are making efforts to attract voters' attention on Facebook. People with capabilities are standing by the common folks. Ministers and MPs have also visited the areas during Eid. They are giving importance to the Upazila elections. Despite directives from the party's high command, they are making various efforts to keep their preferred candidates forward. All in all, this Eid has added a different dimension to the Upazila Parishad elections.

To make the January 7 National Parliament elections contested without the participation of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) more competitive, the Awami League had opened the door to free competition. This time, a similar approach has been adopted for the Upazila elections as well. As a result, many leaders in the Trinamool are being tested for their popularity. The party remains silent in this regard. Whoever wins will be accepted by the party.

In our country, there is often much more public engagement and enthusiasm observed in local government elections compared to national elections. Elections for Union Parishads, Upazilas, or Municipalities often become a vibrant affair, marked by festivity, excitement, and the creation of rivalries. There are reasons for this. National election candidates move to Dhaka after the elections to participate in lawmaking at the Parliament. Due to the large size of their constituencies, they often have limited contact and relationships with ordinary people. On the other hand, local government representatives stay in the area. Local people remember them when facing problems and crises. The connection between local government representatives and the people of the area is direct and close. That's why there is always a sense of excitement and interest among everyone regarding these elections.

This time, the Upazila elections are being conducted much like the sixth phase. Several amendments have been made to the election rules. Previously, candidates had to submit nomination papers to the office of the Returning Officer or Assistant Returning Officer. Candidates used to submit nomination papers along with their supporters. But now, that opportunity no longer exists. Just like the first time, it's now mandatory to submit nomination papers online. As a result, individuals willing to contest will have to submit their nomination papers online following the prescribed method.

In the upcoming Upazila elections, for the first time, the 'third gender' has been included as a gender option in the nomination papers. This means that individuals identifying as third gender, such as hijras, can now contest elections using their identity. This provision had already been implemented in other elections, but now it has been extended to the Upazila level. In the Upazila Parishad elections, until now, an independent candidate had to submit nomination papers along with the signatures of 250 supporters as a symbol of their candidacy for the Chairman position. However, this provision has now been abolished. As a result, independent candidates will no longer need to submit a list of supporters' signatures to run for the Chairman position.

Previously, candidates had to submit a deposit of 10,000 taka as security for the Chairman position. Now, they will have to deposit 1 lakh taka. For the Vice-Chairman position, it will be 75,000 taka. The amount deposited as security along with the nomination papers will be refunded after the election, but candidates must receive a certain percentage of votes to get the deposit back. Otherwise, the deposited amount will be forfeited. This time, to ensure the security of the deposit, candidates will need to receive 15 percent of the votes cast, compared to approximately 12 percent or slightly more in the previous elections.

In the Upazila Parishad elections, if multiple candidates received an equal number of votes for a position, previously there was a provision for a re-vote. However, this provision has been amended. If multiple candidates receive equal votes, the result will now be determined by lottery. While many welcome this new rule, there has been criticism regarding the amount of the deposit. In local elections, many honest and popular individuals participate. For them, depositing one lakh taka for candidacy can be challenging. This has hindered the participation of those with limited financial means. Which is not at all desirable for democratic politics.

The Awami League has decided not to allow party symbols in the local government elections to be held in four phases from May 8 and not to give party nominations to candidates. However, more than a dozen ministers and MPs have already announced themselves as 'party candidates' in their respective upazilas. In many upazilas, they are contesting against each other in the rivalry between the Awami League and its allies or associate organizations. Central leaders are holding regular meetings to prevent Trinamool divisions around the upazila elections. They are giving directives. In these meetings, Trinamool leaders have raised allegations of nepotism against ministers, MPs, and influential leaders.
Some local leaders have demanded the nomination of individual candidates in the upazila, but it's not possible without a party symbol. However, the central leadership of the Awami League is attempting to limit the number of 'candidates'.

The decision of the BNP to refrain from participating in the elections so far remains unwavering. However, there is contemplation about how much this decision might be detrimental for the BNP. Despite urging the government to postpone the national elections scheduled for January 7, they have not been able to stop it. Those who advocated for the government to hold participatory and competitive elections internationally did not support the BNP's abstention policy.

BNP should participate in the elections for the sake of the party. Because BNP does not have the power to prevent the election. In this situation, if Trinamool leaders are given the opportunity to participate in the elections, they can get a chance to turn around politically. BNP has many popular local leaders across the country. BNP candidates can easily win and write a new history with the opportunity of vote-splitting of many candidates of Awami League. BNP did well in upazila elections held in 2009 despite coercion by the ruling party.

Although the party's decision to participate in the upazila elections is negative, the local leaders of the party cannot be prevented from participating in the elections. Due to the tripartite position between the leaders of the ruling party-ministers-MPs, Awami League candidates are scattered in each upazila parishad. Local leaders and activists are already divided into various groups, working for their preferred candidates in the electoral arena. Local leaders of BNP-Jamaat are eager to utilize this opportunity. Under the banner of independent candidacy, many leaders from BNP-Jamaat are making strenuous efforts to emerge victorious. How will BNP tackle them?

It is hoped that the upazila elections will be competitive, fair, and participatory, whether BNP participates or not. Ensuring uninterrupted, credible, and participatory elections is the biggest challenge at this moment. The influence of MPs is significant in the upazila elections, as well as that of local leaders. Everyone will want to use the administration in their favor. It is the duty of the administration to impartially uphold its responsibilities outside all kinds of influence.

Furthermore, it is imperative for the authorities to be even more vigilant and cautious regarding the influence and authority of MPs in local elections. The Constitution clearly defines the duties of MPs. It is not the role of an MP to create influence or establish authority in local elections. If they are dedicated to upholding the law, it will lead to the welfare of society.