Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has said it will not participate in local government elections under the interim administration prior to the 13th parliamentary elections.
Party insiders reveal that the BNP perceives these local elections as an attempt to extend the government's tenure and delay the national polls.
Instead, the party plans to intensify pressure on the government to hold the national elections this year.
Most political allies of the BNP, who are part of the simultaneous movement, also oppose local government elections before national polls.
They argue that the nation’s priority must be the timely conduction of parliamentary elections.
Some smaller political groups, however, maintain that if reforms are implemented, local elections under an interim administration could serve as a preliminary test for the government.
Local government elections as a litmus test?
Sources indicate that local government elections, including city corporation and municipal polls, may precede the parliamentary elections.
A historical parallel is drawn to 4 August 2008, when the interim administration under the one-eleven regime conducted elections in Rajshahi, Khulna, Barishal, and Sylhet city corporations, months before the national polls.
Those elections were widely deemed credible.
Similarly, discussions suggest that local polls now could serve as a gauge of the interim administration's capability to oversee free and fair national elections.
Senior BNP leader Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain emphasised, “Our priority is parliamentary elections. The interim administration lacks stability or a fixed tenure, making it imperative for them to hand over power to an elected government through the national elections.”
He added that any decision regarding city corporation elections would be finalised through discussions within the party.
A recent survey by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) revealed that 64.97% of the population supports local government elections under the interim administration before the national elections, while 29% prefer these elections after the national polls.
Moreover, nearly 70% of respondents advocated for non-partisan local government elections.
However, BNP and other major political parties have reiterated their demand for prioritising national elections.
Allies Echo BNP's Call
BNP’s position has garnered support from its allies, including leaders from the Ganatantra Mancha and the 12-party alliance.
Saiful Haque of the Revolutionary Workers Party expressed concerns that local government elections before national polls could exacerbate divisions among political actors.
Similarly, Shahadat Hossain Selim of the Liberal Democratic Party called for implementing electoral reforms before any election takes place.
CPB General Secretary Ruhin Hossain Prince stated, “Given the current political climate, holding local government elections before national polls is unacceptable. Electoral reforms must precede all elections.”
Meanwhile, Jamaat-e-Islami remains undecided on the matter.
Assistant Secretary General Hamidur Rahman Azad noted that the party would determine its stance after deliberations.
However, he expressed doubts about the interim administration's ability to ensure a conducive environment for local elections.
Reforms and test runs
Islami Andolan and other smaller groups have suggested conducting city corporation elections as a test case to evaluate the administration’s preparedness for parliamentary elections.
Maulana Gazi Ataur Rahman remarked, “Post-reform elections could help gauge the government's and the Election Commission's capabilities.”
Jatiya Nagorik Committee echoed similar sentiments, stating that local elections could assess whether the administration is ready to conduct national polls.
They also pointed out that an absence of functional local governments has deprived citizens of essential services, which could be alleviated through elections.
As the debate continues, the BNP and its allies appear united in their demand to prioritise national elections, leaving the prospect of local government elections before the parliamentary polls in political uncertainty.
