Sagar Biswas :
In the upcoming District Council election scheduled on December 28, the contestants of ruling party Awami League will have to fight the contenders of their own party rebels in many seats pushing the central high command in an embarrassing situation.
At least 70 local AL leaders have submitted nomination papers violating the party’s decision. In around 36 districts, the rebel contenders will appear as major headache, while they are determined to counter own party-nominated candidates, insiders said.
In some districts, the number of rebel candidates is more than one. Highest numbers of 13 rebel candidates have submitted nomination papers in 10 districts of Khulna Division. In all divisions, there are AL rebel candidates, sources said.
On the other hand, there is no other party candidate except AL contender in 13 other districts.
For the first time, the District Council election is going to be held in the country. Interestingly, none of the BNP-Jamaat led 20 party alliance has dropped nomination paper to contest in the election expressing their doubt that the election won’t be free and fair under the current Election Commission.
Out of 64 districts, only in 21 districts the contestants of different parties, including Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal [JSD Inu-Shirin], JSD [Sharif- Ambia] and Jatiya Party, have submitted nomination papers.
Officials of Election Commission said that, the number of “winners without voting” may be increased after completion of scrutiny today [Sunday]. The last date of withdrawal on December 11 and symbol will be distributed on December 12.
Officials told The New Nation that the single candidate in any district will be declared as winner without contest, and their names will be officially announced after completion of scrutiny.
According to information available, those who are going to be elected without any voting are : Mohammad Mohiuddin in Munshiganj, Anwar Hossain in Narayanganj, Abdul Momin Tulu in Bhola, Arifur Rahman Rocket in Joypurhat, former DUCSU VP Akhteruzzaman in Gazipur, Sheikh Kamruzzaman Tuku in Bagerhat, Hadiuzzaman in Jessore, Sardar Md Shah Alam in Jhalkathi and Prashanto Kumar Roy in Netrokona.
The AL leaders, however, showed denial tendency about the existence of rebel candidates.
“There is no rebel candidate in the AL. The party has allowed other candidates to participate in the election even who did not get nomination from the party. After completion of scrutiny, the non-nominated candidates will be asked to quit the race in favour of party nominated candidates. If anybody disobeys, disciplinary action will be taken against him,” AL Joint General Secretary Mahbubul Alam Hanif recently said.
Earlier in 1989, the District Council elections were held in three districts of Chittagong Hill Tracts – Bandarban, Rangamati and Khagrachhari. But no election was held after that.
Against this backdrop, the AL appointed party’s local leaders as district administrators in 61 districts on December 15, 2011.
As per rules, the Mayors and Councillors of City Corporations [if there is any], chairmen and vice-chairmen of Upazila Parishads, mayors and councillors of municipalities, chairmen and members of union parishads, chairmen and members of district council are the voters of District Council election.
Meanwhile, a writ petition was filed on November 29 with the High Court seeking a stay on holding the elections to District Councils scheduled for December 28.
A Supreme Court lawyer Advocate Eunus Ali Akond submitted the petition challenging the legality of the provision of District Council Law that allows indirect voting to the elections. The court fixed date on December 4 for decision.
