How Jamaat and NCP are Preparing for Local Polls
Jamaat fast-tracks candidate selection and training while NCP builds an independent local candidate network ahead of Bangladesh’s local government polls.
Context
The local government elections will cover Union Parishads, municipalities, Upazila Parishads, Zilla Parishads and city corporations. The EC has planned seven phases of Union Parishad elections, beginning on 12 November, followed by proposed dates of 13 December, 30 December, 17 January, 4 February, 22 April and 27 May.
Jamaat’s Plan
OFFSCRPT spoke with Advocate Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair, Assistant Secretary General of Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh, and he said, "Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has prepared candidates across constituencies, but our fundamental prerequisite remains unchanged: the process must be genuinely free and fair, and local council elections should take place without partisan party symbols to eliminate local coercion.
Regarding the Gazi Nazrul and Akteruzzaman incident, he said,
"Local elections are local elections; these controversies don't have a direct impact on grassroots politics, and ground-level work will carry on according to local dynamics."
NCP’s Plan
Shedding light on the matter, NCP spokesperson Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan tells OFFSCRPT, “We are taking the local government elections very seriously and rigorously. Since candidates will not be contesting under the party banner, we are looking for the best candidates at every level, from the grassroots to the top. Even if we find a capable person who is not involved in politics but has influence and a positive impact on their community, they will also be considered for our support. We believe newcomers can reshape the political landscape and break existing stereotypes. We will give it our best.”
