Noman Mosharef :
The first phase of the Union Parishad (UP) election will be held on April 11 to be participated by 11 parties including Awami League (AL) out of total 40 registered parties including Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).
However, in the UP election Awami League will fight against AL. As a result AL are facing hardship to control these rival candidates.
Moreover, 1,752 chairman candidates submitted nomination papers of which 1099 are independent candidates. Most of independents are from Awami League. Rest 653 is 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). Of them, 14, 435 submitted nomination papers for general ward member while 4,303 for reserve seat (women).
When asked about rival candidates, Awami League Presidium Member and former Minister Colonel Faruk Khan (Retd.) told The New Nation that Awami League is a large political party. Suitable candidates are available there. But it is not possible to nominate all aspirants.
Faruk Khan said, we have decided in our party’s forum and gave direction that those rival candidates who submitted nomination papers should withdraw. If anyone would not follow the party’s decision, then action will be taken as per party’s constitution.
He said, in every large political party there are many leaders and supporters. So, there may be more than one member for each seat. It is not matter of concern.
There are some intruders’ who joined Awami League only for managing nomination, he added.
Replying to The New Nation, former minister said, we are anxious about internal clash over the upcoming UP polls. Despite party’s directions if anyone participates or instigates any kind of anomalies, local administration will take action.
Over BNP’s boycotting the UP polls, Faruk Khan said, BNP is rejected by the people. They have known that if they join in the polls they will suffer loss. For that in the early morning they declared to abandon the election.
He also said that BNP is a political party like a ship without captain.
Meanwhile, 73 chairman candidates have been 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.
According to EC Secretariat source, 39 chairmen were elected unopposed from Bagerhat district.
Source said, after scrutinizing the nomination papers, 31 UP had single chairmen post aspirants. Last Wednesday (March, 24) was the last date of withdrawing nominations. On that day 281 candidates withdrew their candidacies. As a result in 73 UP where single candidates remained as candidate. Finally, EC has declared them as winners unopposed.
