The political or electoral field of the country seems to be warmed-up centring the upcoming by-polls in five vacant constituencies in the National Parliament amid the Covid-19 pandemic period.
Apart from the ruling Bangladesh Awami League, the Jatiya Party, the main opposition in the National Parliament, has already decided to take part in the by-elections.
Another major political party Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is yet to decide whether it would take part in the electoral battle. But, BNP sources said it is also going to take part in the electoral battle.
Moreover, many candidates from different other political parties and individual platforms are also willing to take part in the elections.
These five constituencies have become vacant after the deaths of five lawmakers—Israfil Alam (Naogaon-6), former minister Mohammad Nasim (Sirajganj-1), former Land Minister Shamsur Rahman Sharif alias Dilu (Panbna-4), Habibur Rahman Mollah (Dhaka-5) and former minister advocate Sahara Khatun (Dhaka-18).
The Election Commission (EC) already has announced schedules for the elections in three of the five vacant seats. As per the schedule, elections in the Dhaka-5 and Naogaon-6 constituencies will be held on October 17 and in Pabna-4 constituency on September 26. The schedule for the by-elections in Sirajganj-1 and Dhaka-18 is yet to be announced.
Awami League
According to sources, a total of 141 candidates from the ruling Awami League have collected forms for the party nominations. They collected forms during the period from August 17 to August 23. The nomination board of the party is the authority to confirm the candidature. The nomination board was supposed to hold a meeting on August 25 in this regard. But, the date for the meeting has been postponed for an unavoidable reason and the next date for the meeting was yet to be decided.
According to AL official sources, the highest 56 nomination forms have been collected for the party ticket for Dhaka-18 constituency. Candidates from various levels like businessmen, union-level leaders, retired police officials and other government officials also collected nomination forms.
Former Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG-Dhaka Range) and veteran freedom fighter SM Mahfujul Haque Nuruzzaman, AL’s Advisory council member Mozaffar Hossain Paltu, Kader Khan, a former joint secretary of Dhaka City unit of Awami League, Anisur Rahman, a nephew of deceased lawmaker Sahara Khatun, Nazma Akhter, president of Jubo Mahila League (Youth women wing of AL), Airport Thana Unit AL president Md Shahjahan Ali Mandal are among them.
It should be mentioned that being a freedom fighter and a core supporter of Awami League, former DIG SM Mahfujul Haque Nuruzzaman had to suffer a lot during the regime of BNP-Jamaat alliance government. He had to face various conspiracies during his service period. He also played vital role while Awami League president Sheikh Hasina faced life threat during the army-backed caretaker government after the one eleven.
The second highest 34 forms have been collected for Naogaon-6 constituency. Sultana Parvin, wife of deceased lawmaker Israfil Alam, Shahin Monwara Huq, a vice-president of Naogaon district unit AL, Nowsher Ali, a former vice-president of Rajshahi City unit AL are among them.
The third highest 28 people have collected forms for nomination from the AL to take part in the by-election of Pabna-4 constituency. Of them, four nomination forms have been collected by four of the family members of deceased Land Minister Shamsur Rahman Sharif Dilu. They are deceased minister’s wife Kamrunnahar Sharif, son Galibur Rahman Sharif, daughter MahjebinShirinPia and son-in-law (the husband of a daughter) AbulKalam Azad Mintu. Other candidates for this constituency include Ishwardiupazila unit AL’s acting president Nayeb Ali Bishwas, vice-president Mohammad Rashidullah, Ishwardi Upazila chairman Nuruzzaman Bishwas and former lawmaker Panjab Ali Bishwas.
A total of 20 candidates collected forms for the party nomination to take part in the by election of Dhaka-5 constituency. Deceased lawmaker Habibur Rahman Mollah’s son Mashiur Rahman Mollah, also the general secretary of Demra thana unit AL, Nehrin Mostofa Dishi, a former member of AL’s International Affairs Sub-Committee are among them.
In the by-election of Sirajganj-1 constituency, three forms have been collected for party nomination. They are deceased former minister Mohammad Nasim’s son and former lawmaker TanvirShakil Joy, nephew Shehrin Selim Ripon and former Chhatra league leader Amit Kumer Dev.
Jatiya party
The Jatiya Party already has already decided to take part in three of the five vacant seats—Dhaka-5, Naogaon-6 and Pabna-4. The party also started distribution of party nomination forms from Wednesday.
The Jatiya Party leaders were collecting party nomination forms from Banani, the office of the party chairman. They will distribute party nomination forms till August 29.
BNP
BNP leaders said they were yet to decide whether they would take part in the by-elections. However, many of the BNP leaders already have started activities to take part in the elections in their respective seats.
Mirza Fakrul Islam Alamgir, Secretary General of BNP, said they already discussed the matter at a meeting held on Tuesday night, but decision was yet to be finalized.
“Another meeting is scheduled to be held on Saturday when the decision would be finalized”, he added.