The Awami League (AL) wants the next three phases of the union parishad (UP) elections to be held in a free, fair and peaceful manner in a bid to avoid criticism and any untoward situation on  polling days. After facing severe criticism from all polling days. After facing severe criticism from all sections, including civil society platforms which work on the elections and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), the ruling party high-ups think that the next three phases of the polls should be held in a free and fair manner, and should be peaceful, said party insiders. The party leadership has given instructions to the Election Commission (EC) to see that the three remaining phases of the UP elections are held peacefully, and that the number of violent incidents is reduced to a minimum.
The AL high-ups have taken the decision as they feel that their party nominated candidates have done well in the earlier three phases of the elections, and hopes this trend will continue in the next phases also, insiders said.
Talking to this correspondent, several central leaders of the Awami League said they are not worried about the results of the UP elections, as these would not bring down the AL government. They also said the BNP has not been able to nominate suitable candidates for the UP polls due to the party’s organisational weakness. They claimed that the three-month violent agitation of the BNP has alienated majority of the people.
Because of this, AL candidates are doing well in the UP polls, they observed. In the last three phases of the elections, AL candidates gained massive victories.
The first, second and third phases of the UP elections were held on March 22 and 31 and April 23. They were marred by irregularities and sporadic violence in which over 50 people were killed and thousands, including three election officials, injured. This provided a handle to the BNP, which said free and fair elections are not possible under the Sheikh Hasina administration.
During a briefing after the third phase of UP elections, Awami League joint general secretary Mahbubul Alam Hanif had said that the polls were held in a free, fair and credible manner following instructions of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
“The third phase of the polls were free, fair and peaceful. This was possible because of PM Sheikh Hasina’s bold stand… The next phases too will be held in a free, fair and credible manner,” he had observed.
When contacted, Mahbubul Alam Hanif said yesterday (Friday) that the next phases of the UP polls will be held in a peaceful manner. “As per Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s instructions, we have asked the EC to take steps to hold peaceful elections. The government will extend whatever help is needed to the EC for holding peaceful elections. At any cost we want peaceful elections,” he added.
Even grassroots-level leaders of the Awami League are worried about the UP poll violence, as they are losing their near and dear ones in each phase of the elections. These leaders said they have asked the party high-ups to ensure a peaceful atmosphere on the polling day.
At a city programme earlier, AL advisory council member, Suranjit Sengupta, criticised the Election Commission for its silent role in holding the local government elections. However, after instructions from Sheikh Hasina and criticism by the ruling party’s central leaders, the EC has started taking action against poll irregularities.
In a major development, the EC yesterday directed the AL whip in Parliament, Atiur Rahman Atik, to leave his own constituency Sherpur-1
before the fourth phase of polling in 709 unions today. As per the electoral code of conduct, ministers, deputy ministers and parliamentarians cannot participate in campaigning. As the whip holds the same status as a deputy minister, he is forbidden to stay in own election area, the rules said.
EC deputy secretary Farhad Ahmed said: “Directives have been issued for holding fair elections on Saturday.”
The Sherpur district election officer, Mokhlesur Rahman, said: “Whip Atik sought votes for the Awami League candidate, Awlad Islam, during a visit of the Gazirkhamar High School in Sherpur Sadar on May 3. It was a violation of the electoral code of conduct.”
On Thursday, the EC directed that the officer-in-charge of Sherpur police station be withdrawn for alleged irregularities. The same day, the commission issued a show-cause notice to Enamul Haque, MP of Rajshahi 4 constituency, for allegedly staying in his election area despite being told to leave.