Noman Mosharef :
The political parties’ participations in Union Parishad (UP) election have been decreasing ghastly. This year UP elections are going to be held for the second time with political symbols whereas only 11 parties will participate though 40 registered.
However, in 2016 UP polls which was first time with political symbols, but 29 parties only attended.
The statistics have been assembled after data analysis from the political parties nominated chairman candidates who submitted their nomination papers for first phase of UP polls.
Meanwhile, Election Commission (EC) has scheduled the date for April 11, 2021.
On the other hand, Bangladesh Nationalist Party, (BNP) has announced that it would not participate in UP elections. As a result BNP allies 20-party also will not participate in upcoming local body polls.
Consequently, 31 chairman candidates are going to be elected unopposed whereas 371 UP election will be conducted 1st phase on April 11. Of them Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) will be used in 41 UP’s polls.
The 11 political parties’ who are supposed to participate are the Awami League, Jatiya Party (JaPa), Islami Andolon Bangladesh, Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh, Jatiya Party (JP) Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD), Workers Party of Bangladesh, National People’s Party, Communist Party of Bangladesh-CPB, Jaker Party and newly registered political party Bangladesh Congress.
The political parties who participated in 2016 UP polls- BNP, Liberal Democratic Party, Bangladesh Jatiya Party-BJP, Jamiyate Ulamaye Islam Bangladesh, Islami Oikya Jote, Jatiya Ganatantrik Party, Krishak Sramik Janata League-KSJL, Bangladesh Khelafat Andolan, Bangladesh National Awami Party-NAP, Revolutionary Workers Party, Islami Oikya Front Bangladesh and others.
Moreover, 1,752 chairman candidates submitted nomination papers of which 1099 are independent candidates. Most of independents are from Awami League. Rest of 653 are nominated by 11 political parties including Awami League.
According to EC a total of 20, 490 candidates submitted their nomination papers for the post of Chairman, general member and reserve seat (Women).
When asked over the political parties’ less participation in UP polls, Dr Badiul Alam Majumdar, Global Vice-President and Country Director, The Hunger Project Bangladesh and Secretary of SHUJAN: Citizens for Good Governance, said, election in Bangladesh became a farce in Bangladesh now. People have no confidence in the EC.
He said political parties less participation and unopposed elect are a evil sign for our political and election process.
