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DHAKA: The government has allocated around Tk 6,000 crore to complete all local government elections within the current fiscal year, said Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives State Minister Mir Shahe Alam.
The allocation will cover elections to five types of local government bodies — city corporations, municipalities, upazila parishads, zila parishads and union parishads.
Speaking to journalists after paying floral tribute at the graves of former President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in Dhaka on Saturday, the state minister said the provision for party nominations and national symbols had been abolished for local government elections.
As a result, the elections will be held on general symbols and on a non-partisan basis, he said.
Before paying tribute, Mir Shahe Alam, accompanied by party leaders and activists, offered prayers seeking the salvation of the departed souls.
Explaining the purpose of the programme, he said Mokamtala Upazila had been formed by dividing Shibganj Upazila of the Bogura-2 constituency.
“We are here as we expect organisational activities to begin there,” he said.
EC to oversee entire election process
Regarding the local government elections, Mir Shahe Alam said the Election Commission would conduct the entire electoral process.
“We have already requested the Election Commission to make preparations. The commission will handle the entire process, including announcing the schedule, determining polling stations and appointing presiding officers and polling agents,” he said.
Once the Election Commission completes its preparations, the Local Government Division and the Finance Division will jointly decide which elections will be held first and which will follow, he said.
Asked whether the government’s “green signal” would be required, the state minister said there was no such requirement.
“If the Election Commission is ready and wants to announce the election schedule, it can do so. Once the commission formally informs the government, we will provide the necessary financial and administrative support,” he said.
The state minister said the new government had passed into law five local government-related ordinances issued by the interim government.
The provisions for party nominations and national symbols have been abolished under the five laws governing city corporations, municipalities, upazila parishads, zila parishads and union parishads.
Therefore, the elections will be held on general symbols without party nominations, he said.
Political parties, however, will be able to support candidates while maintaining their respective political positions, Mir Shahe Alam added.
Mir Shahe Alam also said BNP Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman had been holding meetings with district-level party leaders at the party’s Gulshan office every Friday and Saturday on a rotating basis.
“Guidelines are being given there on various issues, including the local government elections,” he said.
Regarding party support for candidates, the minister said priority would be given to their roles in the party’s long-standing movements and struggles, whether they had faced persecution and harassment, their acceptability among ordinary people and their ability to win elections.