BNP takes hardline against rebel candidates in local government elections

The BNP is taking a tough stance to avoid the risk of having rebel candidates in the upcoming local government elections. The party has gone for a strategy of supporting a single candidate per constituency. Anyone who defies the party decision and contests the election will be subjected to strict organisational action, including possible permanent expulsion.

After coming to power in the last election, the BNP considers the upcoming local government elections its first organisational test. The party high command has feared that if multiple candidates from the party contest in the same area, it would result in its vote bank being split. With this, controlling the long-standing rivalries at the grassroots is viewed as a key challenge. In this context, the party is adopting a strategy to ensure single candidates.

Since elections are set to be held in a relatively freer environment after more than a decade, thousands of grassroots leaders wish to contest. Consequently, keeping organisational unity intact while managing this aspiration is the main challenge.

In general, the BNP is preparing to enter the field with a multifaceted strategy to maintain party discipline and prevent vote splitting. The application of the strategy will become evident immediately after the election schedule is announced.

Criteria for selecting single candidates

According to BNP policymakers, several political and strategic considerations are behind the decision to ensure single candidates. Firstly, it aims to stop vote splitting. Since local government elections are non-partisan, candidates do not contest under party symbols. Thus, having a single party-backed candidate will consolidate the party's vote bank.

Secondly, the strategy aims to control internal conflicts. If multiple leaders and activists contest from the same constituency, factions and groupings may arise within the party, which can cause long-term organisational damage.

Thirdly, the strategy also targets rival political forces. The Jamaat-e-Islami, the main opposition party, has already finalised single candidates in most areas and initiated field-level training. Meanwhile, the NCP is also preparing to field strong candidates. It is emphasising internal unity to prevail in the three-way contest.

Popularity, broad public acceptance, organisational activism and sacrifice are being considered the highest priority in the candidate selection. In addition to a candidate's personal clean image and acceptability among ordinary people, what they've done during the party's tough times and in past movements and struggles is also being considered.

BNP Acting Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi told Asia Post, “As the election will be held without party symbols, there will be no direct party nomination. However, a single candidate backed by the central leadership will be ensured to prevent vote splitting.”

He said no candidate would be imposed by the central leadership. The responsibility of selecting candidates for Union Parishad elections would lie with the respective upazila and district leaders. They would conduct field-level surveys and submit the names of potential candidates to the central leadership.

Besides, there are plans to form a liaison or coordination cell with district and divisional organisational secretaries. They will work to resolve conflicts and disputes at the grassroots level.

Warning to maintain party discipline

To maintain organisational discipline, BNP Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has already been holding a series of meetings with leaders from different divisions, districts and metropolitan units. He has clearly instructed party leaders and activists to campaign collectively for the party's single candidate after the election schedule is announced and ensure victory by winning public support.

BNP Chairman's Adviser and Land Minister Mizanur Rahman Minu said that it is natural for a large party to have multiple candidates. However, a single candidate would eventually be selected through discussions. If anyone contests as a rebel candidate, strict action, including immediate and permanent expulsion, would be taken against them.

State Minister for Local Government Mir Shahe Alam told Asia Post, “Support will be given based on the candidate's honesty, clean image and sacrifice. To prevent power abuse, consideration is being made to introduce a rule requiring incumbent leaders to resign from their posts in many cases.”

The party high command is keeping a close watch to ensure that local MPs or influential leaders cannot influence the grassroots coordination. Although local leadership will coordinate at the union and municipality levels, the central leadership will directly manage mayoral candidates for city corporations.

Election Commissioner Brigadier General (retd) Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah has said that all concerned have agreed to complete the local government elections, particularly the Union Parishad elections, before the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examinations start on June 6 next year. However, the date of voting has not yet been finalised.

A BNP standing committee member, talking to Asia Post on condition of anonymity, said that if the party back up one candidate in a non-partisan election, disgruntled candidates who are left out will work secretly for Jamaat-e-Islami, the NCP or independent candidates. This will hurt the BNP's core vote bank. Therefore, all aspects had to be considered before a decision was made. In this context, emphasis is being placed on selecting locally acceptable candidates.

BNP Standing Committee Member and Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Dr Abdul Moin Khan told Asia Post that the government would provide all necessary assistance to the Election Commission in a timely manner to ensure free, fair and impartial elections.