Bangladesh Election Commission Declares No Local Elections Before National Polls
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Synopsis
The Election Commission of Bangladesh has ruled out the possibility of holding local elections prior to national elections, amid escalating tensions among political parties regarding the election sequence.
Key Takeaways
- Local elections will not occur before national elections.
- Concerns about law enforcement morale impact election scheduling.
- Political parties demand clarity on election timelines.
- BNP prioritizes national elections over local ones.
- Jamaat-e-Islami insists on local elections first.
Dhaka, March 2 (NationPress) The Election Commission of Bangladesh has announced that it will not be feasible to conduct local elections prior to the national elections. This declaration arises as prominent political factions in Bangladesh are embroiled in disputes over the sequence of elections, as reported by local media.
In an interview with the prominent newspaper, The Daily Star, a Bangladeshi Election Commissioner, who preferred to remain unnamed, stated, "We are also monitoring the law and order situation. It is well-known that the morale of law enforcement has been low since August 5. It would not be prudent to conduct local elections while police morale remains diminished."
Earlier this week, Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud remarked, "Currently, we are not considering local elections. These elections typically occur in phases. Initiating local elections now would almost certainly hinder the parliamentary election scheduled for December or January."
For several weeks, various political parties, including the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Jamaat-e-Islami, and the Left Democratic Alliance (LDA), have separately approached the Election Commission to advocate for conducting the national elections within this year.
The radical political group Jamaat-e-Islami, however, has insisted that national elections should only follow local elections.
During a rally on Friday, Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary Mia Golam Parwar reiterated his party's position for holding local government elections before the national election, asserting that conspiratorial actions are hindering reforms and a fair electoral process.
Conversely, the BNP has cautioned the interim government, led by Chief Advisor Mohammad Yunus, and other political entities in Bangladesh against manipulating the national elections.
The party has claimed that any attempts to delay national elections under the guise of reforms would lead to escalated protest movements, according to various local media reports.
As the Election Commission of Bangladesh gears up for elections in December 2025, a noticeable divide has emerged between two former allies, BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami.
BNP, which established itself as the largest political entity in Bangladesh following the downfall of the former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government, is prioritizing national elections, while Jamaat advocates for local government elections to be held first.
