No party symbols in local government polls: State Minister

State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam has said that under the amended law, there will be no scope for party nominations and national symbols in the upcoming local government elections. He said the local government elections will be held in a completely neutral manner and with general symbols.

He said these things in response to journalists' questions after a programme to release fish fry in the pond of Shibganj Upazila Parishad in Bogura on Friday morning, September 11.

The state minister said that during the past autocratic rule, the country's democratic institutions and electoral system were damaged. One of the main responsibilities of the current government is to complete the five local government elections in a free, fair and neutral manner. He said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has given clear instructions that these elections must be made acceptable to the people at any cost.

He said around Tk 6,000 crore has been allocated in the budget for the local government elections. The Election Commission is also taking necessary preparations.

In response to a question about what the party's position will be at the field level without party symbols, Mir Shahe Alam said BNP has taken a policy decision to support a single candidate. If there are multiple candidates in any union, efforts will be made to reach a compromise at the local level. If no compromise is reached, organisational action may be taken for breaching party discipline.

The state minister also commented that the Awami League, whose activities are banned, has no opportunity to participate in the elections as a political party. He said that as long as the ban on the party is not lifted, there is no opportunity for the Awami League and its affiliated organisations to hold political programmes or participate in elections.

He further said that under the law, they have no opportunity to hold meetings, gatherings or run party offices. If anyone violates the law, law enforcement agencies will take necessary action.

In response to journalists' questions about the start of work on important development projects, including the Bogura EPZ, airport and the Bogura-Sirajganj railway, the state minister said the current government's tenure is only six months. It takes some time to complete administrative processes as per rules for implementing big projects.

However, he expressed hope that the people of Bogura will see visible progress on these projects by December.

Earlier, the state minister inaugurated the programme by releasing fish fry in the Shibganj Upazila Parishad pond under the revenue sector of the 2026-27 fiscal year.

Later, he inspected a talent search examination centre for teachers and students in the Mokamtola area of Shibganj. Officials of the upazila administration, local public representatives, teachers, students and political leaders were present at the time.

Additionally, two school buses are scheduled to be distributed for Shibganj Grammar School and College and Betgari Mir Shahe Alam Girls' High School to ensure safe transport for students.