AL directs MPs’ kin to step aside from UZ polls

The ruling Awami League (AL) has directed the offspring, family members and close relatives of ministers and members of parliament from the party to refrain from participating in the upcoming upazila elections.

AL President Sheikh Hasina has given the directive, emphasising the need for fair, impartial, and effective elections.

According to party sources, AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader informed the divisional organisational secretaries about the instructions of AL President Sheikh Hasina.

They are informing all district-upazila leaders, ministers, and MPs about the president's directive on behalf of the party.

Also, the government has instructed the local administration and police to prevent MPs and ministers from influencing the upazila elections.

AL leaders are also advising the administration to work impartially in various districts.

In a statement signed by AL Office secretary Biplab Barua on Thursday, Obaidul Quader said, “Since BNP has taken an anti-election stance, AL has also had to adopt a strategic position in a different context. So, AL did not allocate the party symbol this time. Awami League expects that a person who is acceptable to the people outside the party and the party should be elected.”

He said that the party has given strict organisational instructions so that ministers, MPs and party leaders cannot interfere in the upazila parishad elections.

“On the occasion of the first phase of the election, extensive campaigning of the candidates and spontaneous participation of the people is being observed across the country.”

“We request everyone to be aware and cautious about the anti-democratic activities of BNP. At the same time, I request the leaders and workers of the organisation to provide full cooperation to the Election Commission for free, fair and peaceful elections,” he added.

Out of the 495 upazilas in the country, voting will take place in 485 eligible upazilas across four phases. After the term expires, the election commission will conduct polls in the remaining areas.

In the first phase, voting will be held in 150 upazilas on 8 May.