Amid an apparent resurgence of Awami League supporters and a series of surprise street marches across Bangladesh – despite being banned under anti-terrorism laws – the Tariqur Rahman-led government will allow party members to contest the upcoming local government elections “in their individual capacities”.The deliberations reflect the challenge of managing a political force that continues to command visibility and support, especially at the grassroots level, despite its exclusion from formal politics after the ouster of its president, Sheikh Hasina, as prime minister in 2024.Media Advisor to the Prime Minister, Zahid Rahman, said that Awami League leaders holding party positions will be eligible to participate in the local government elections, provided they meet all legal requirements.
“There is no problem with any individual participating in elections. However, it will become a problem if someone uses the name, symbols or logos of a banned organization or Awami League in the election campaign,” he said.Although Zahid made clear the terms, the move could reshape the country’s evolving political landscape, which after 2024 was largely confined to Tariq’s Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its rival Jamaat-e-Islami.The government is expected to begin holding local government elections in phases after the monsoon, likely in September or October.
