How Jamaat and NCP are Preparing for Local Polls
Bangladesh’s local government elections will be the first major grassroots electoral test for BNP, Jamaat and NCP after the national election. BNP is focusing on controlling competition among its own aspirants and strengthening its local organisation. Jamaat has moved earlier on candidate selection and training, while NCP is building its own candidate network separately from its national alliance partners.
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Context
The local government elections will cover Union Parishads, municipalities, Upazila Parishads, Zilla Parishads and city corporations. The EC has planned seven phases of Union Parishad elections, beginning on 12 November, followed by proposed dates of 13 December, 30 December, 17 January, 4 February, 22 April and 27 May.
Jamaat’s Plan
Nutshell Today spoke with Advocate Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair, Assistant Secretary General of Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh, and he said, "Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has prepared candidates across constituencies, but our fundamental prerequisite remains unchanged: the process must be genuinely free and fair, and local council elections should take place without partisan party symbols to eliminate local coercion.
Regarding the Gazi Nazrul and Akteruzzaman incident, he said,
"Local elections are local elections; these controversies don't have a direct impact on grassroots politics, and ground-level work will carry on according to local dynamics."
NCP’s Plan
Shedding light on the matter, NCP spokesperson Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan tells Nutshell Today, “We are taking the local government elections very seriously and rigorously. Since candidates will not be contesting under the party banner, we are looking for the best candidates at every level, from the grassroots to the top. Even if we find a capable person who is not involved in politics but has influence and a positive impact on their community, they will also be considered for our support. We believe newcomers can reshape the political landscape and break existing stereotypes. We will give it our best.”