The ruling BNP has yet to begin preparations for the local government elections, as its central leadership is occupied with government duties, leaving them with little time to reorganise its grassroots structure for the next electoral contest.
“The government has more urgent matters to deal with right now,” said a BNP standing committee member asking not to be named to speak candidly on the issue.After winning the national election and forming the government, the BNP has had little time to organise itself, according to multiple standing committee members.Many of its senior leaders now hold positions in the government and their days are filled with cabinet meetings, parliamentary duties, responding to global developments and implementing the party’s election pledges.If we do not give time to organise the party properly, the other parties may gain an advantage,” the leader said.
From the central leadership in Dhaka to district and upazila organisers, many leaders are currently involved in state responsibilities.
“That means the party itself has not yet returned to its normal activities,” said a Dhaka north unit BNP leader seeking anonymity.However, seven district level leaders said that the delay is already becoming noticeable.
Rivals have already begun informal campaigning in some areas. Local meetings are being held, activists are visiting communities and party supporters are beginning to prepare for the next election. Our preparations have not started properly yet. If we delay it too long, it could affect us politically,” said an upazila unit leader from Manikganj.
Grassroots leaders have begun contacting senior party figures in Dhaka, urging them to set a clear timetable for the elections so that local units can begin their preparations.
Some local leaders are also lobbying within the party to push the issue forward.
Senior leaders acknowledged the concerns but say the matter will be discussed formally in the party’s policymaking forum before any decision is taken.
In the meantime, the BNP appears to be running many local government institutions by appointing administrators from its rank and file.
The government has already appointed administrators in 11 city corporations and 42 district zila parishads across the country.
Until elections take place, most local government bodies — except union parishads — will be operated by administrators.
This arrangement will allow the government time to prepare properly for the elections, party leaders said.
Meanwhile, three standing committee members said that the party has been reviewing its performance after the national election. Some organisational weaknesses became visible during that process.
“Those will be corrected before the local elections — we do not want to repeat mistakes,” said one of the standing committee members.
For that reason, the party leadership wants time to reorganise local committees and strengthen coordination between the government and the party.Meanwhile, the BNP-led government has not yet decided whether the upcoming local government elections will be held with party symbols or without party symbols.
On March 1, Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud said the Election Commission will begin preparations for local government elections after Eid-ul-Fitr.
The ordinance removed the provision for party nomination for mayoral posts, he told reporters.
“If the parliament approves it, elections will follow that system. If the law changes again, then the election system will also change,” he added.
Currently, there are 12 city corporations, 330 municipalities, 64 district councils, 495 upazila parishads and around 4,570 union parishads across the country.
