Photo : Collected
By declaring a boycott of the upazila elections, the BNP, which has been actively opposing the polls, is now dissuading its allied political parties from participating as well. The allied parties have taken the BNP's stance seriously and have communicated it effectively from the central level to grassroots activists. Supporters of these parties are reportedly viewing this message positively.
Leaders of BNP, Jamaat, and other allied parties have acknowledged this stance. They argue that participating in elections where BNP and its allies are absent, especially after their absence in the national elections, serves no purpose. They assert that past experiences have demonstrated election rigging, and they anticipate a similar outcome this time.
It is known that polling will take place in four phases across 480 upazilas on May 8, 23, 29, and June 5. Tomorrow, Wednesday, marks the commencement of the first phase with 152 upazilas scheduled for polls. BNP, one of the prominent political parties in the country, has opted to boycott the election and has initiated an anti-voting campaign. As the party concludes its stance on this election, it has reached out to like-minded parties or alliances through various channels, urging them to remain steadfast in their anti-voting stance. According to multiple sources within BNP, the party's leaders have already engaged in discussions with top leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami, LDP, Gano Odhikar Parishad, AB Party, Nationalist Alliance, Democracy Mancha, and the 12-party alliance.
It has been reported that the ruling Awami League has adopted a strategy of keeping candidacy open and abstaining from keeping party symbols, aimed at dissuading family members of ministers and MPs from participating in the upcoming elections. This tactic is purportedly intended to bolster voter turnout and acceptance. Additionally, Awami League leaders are actively encouraging voters to visit polling stations through various means.
Meanwhile, parties that were previously hesitant about participating in elections alongside like-minded allies have become more resolute in their stance following BNP's strong message. BNP is urging its allied parties or coalitions not to engage in earnest participation in the elections to counteract the strategy employed by the incumbent Awami League.
Following a few days of anti-poll campaigning, BNP has issued a stern warning to its grassroots leaders, emphasising the importance of ensuring that no member or supporter of the party attends the polls.
In this context, Advocate Shahid Md Iqbal Hossain, the convenor of Manirampur Upazila BNP and former municipal mayor, shared with The Daily Messenger, stating, "We are conducting an anti-voting campaign in accordance with the directives from the central leadership. Our aim is to enlighten the people about the unlikelihood of fair voting during the reign of the Awami League.
Thankfully, most individuals are in agreement with our stance. On polling day, we will closely monitor the situation in the field to ensure that no member of our party attends the polling stations."
Maulana Azizur Rahman, a member of Jamaat-e-Islami's central working council, conveyed to The Daily Messenger that while Jamaat has not made a definitive decision regarding participation in the upazila elections, candidates affiliated with the party have entered the fray in certain upazilas. However, ultimately, the decision lies with the party leadership, and no individual is participating against the party's directives. He emphasised that in accordance with the party's instructions, no one will be voting in this election. Responding to a query, he downplayed the significance of BNP's instructions, asserting that participating in the mock polls holds no merit.
Colonel (Retd.) Oli Ahmad Bir Bikram, Chairman of BNP's like-minded party Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), expressed to The Daily Messenger his skepticism regarding the possibility of fair elections under the current government's tenure. He emphasised that it is illogical to participate in upazila elections when they abstained from national elections. He confirmed that none of their candidates have participated in this election, and no member of the party will be casting their vote.
Dr. Abdul Moyeen Khan, a member of the Standing Committee of BNP, conveyed to The Daily Messenger that people have historically refrained from participating in the dubious elections orchestrated by the Awami League, and they are unlikely to do so again. Despite the low voter turnout in the previous parliamentary elections, the voter participation rates in the subsequent local elections were shown inexplicably high. It appears improbable that ordinary citizens will venture to the polling stations alongside the leaders, activists, and supporters of BNP and allied parties, considering the rampant election fraud and vote manipulation. The party leadership has issued instructions for members of like-minded parties, in addition to BNP, not to participate in the voting process.
Messenger/Fameema
