Over 400 independent candidates from AL

At least 442 independent candidates from the ruling Awami League will compete with the party nominated candidates in the 300 constituencies in the upcoming 12th parliamentary election. As such, the number of independent candidates from the party will be 144 more than the number of nominated candidates.

Usually, a person who runs for the election as independent candidates against the party nominated candidates is charged with the allegation of breaching the party decorum. Many term them as ‘rebel candidates’.

However, this time, the governing Awami League will allow its leaders to take part in the polls as independent candidates to ensure an environment of competition in the election and a substantial voter turnout.

The number of independent candidates from the ruling party has been obtained from the figures of the offices of returning officers across the country.

The Awami League has declared its candidates in a total of 298 constituencies so far. No candidate has been nominated in two of the constituencies as of Thursday.

Apart from that, there are independent candidates from the ruling party in most of the constituencies. Besides, the parties under the 14-party alliance led by the ruling party and their longtime ally Jatiya Party have announced their candidates for the upcoming elections. Therefore, the Awami League nominated candidates are going to compete with leaders of their own party as well as other opposition parties in the upcoming elections.

Some of the responsible leaders of the Awami League say, in many cases the candidates of the other parties in 14-party alliance and candidates of small parties won’t be able to challenge the ruling party candidate.

In that, the Awami League leaders competing as independent candidates will be the main challenge for the party nominated candidates.

Such a large number of independent candidates is unprecedented since the introduction of parliamentary democracy in the country in 1991, according to political analysts.

Allowing the party leaders to compete against the party nominated candidates is being discussed as “independent strategy” within the Awami League. Some of the party leaders at policymaking level consider this strategy as a big challenge in the upcoming elections, where de facto opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) said they would not join. This can lead to deadly clashes, they fear.

The party symbols have been used in different local government polls, including the union parishad, pourashava (municipality) and upazila parishad elections, since 2014. A number of Awami League leaders and activists competed against the party nominated candidates in these polls, which led to violence and casualties.

As per the section 47(11) of Awami League’s constitution, if anyone runs for the election against any party nominated candidate, then he or she will be directly expelled from the party. Even if someone works against any party nominated candidate, then the person will be expelled subjected to investigation.

Those who became independent candidates in the past, were expelled from the party. However, the party has not made it clear as to what it will do against such a large number of independent candidates running against the party nominated candidates this time.

Usually Awami League leaders are served a show cause notice and eventually are expelled from the party through various processes in case of breaching the party discipline.

However, a member is expelled without any show cause notice if he or she runs against the party nominated candidate. The Awami League has been considering its members running against party candidates going against the party decision as a serious offence.

Awami League president and Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, exchanged views with the aspirant candidates at her official residence, Ganabhaban, on 26 November. In her speech, she indicated that the floor is open for independent candidates and stern actions will be taken against uncontested winners.

She also directed the nominated candidates not to disturb the leaders running in the election independently.

Soon after the programme, the ruling party disclosed the names of nominated candidates for the forthcoming parliamentary polls.

Responsible leaders of Awami League believe that independent candidates may face no action this time as the party president’s support is by their side.

However, there are dissents over whether all independent candidates will be granted general amnesty or the party will instruct some to withdraw their candidacy. 

The independent candidates have to collect signatures of 1 per cent of voters of the concerned constituency. Concerned AL policy makers said some candidates might be dropped in the process of nomination verification. They also have a plan to force some independent candidates to step aside from the electoral race in cases of possible violence and conflict.

The party may change its strategy regarding the independent candidates as per the situation.

In a briefing at Dhanmondi on Thursday, AL general secretary Obaidul Quader said you will understand the strategy once you see the consequences. “We have determined our strategy through careful thinking. We will do nothing en masse. You will know everything in time.” 

The AL’s independent candidates include 61 incumbent parliamentarians and two MPs from reserved seats for women. At least 50 of the remaining independent candidates resigned as upazila parishad chairman to contest in the parliament election.

All the independent candidates hold significant positions in the party. Hence, they might have to go through a tight fight during the election, said some responsible party leaders. 

A total of 3,362 aspirants bought nomination papers at a cost of Tk 50,000 each. They mostly submitted their nominations as independent candidates.

AL president and prime minister Sheikh Hasina will contest from Gopalganj-3 constituency. Apart from her, there are seven more candidates in the seat. Kamal Hossain, former senior vice president of Tungipara upazila Chhatra League, is contesting as an independent candidate. 

There are some prominent figures among the independent candidates, such as lawmaker Pankaj Nath and former mayor of Barishal city corporation. 

The ruling party has decided to allow independent candidates this time, to present the election as participatory, increase voter presence, and prevent candidates from winning uncontested.  

Awami League and its allies faced a bitter experience in 2014 when at least 153 candidates won uncontested in the election boycotted by the BNP. It drew a huge criticism in home and abroad.

However, AL leaders who secured party nominations are now dissatisfied with the issue of independent candidates. They said it may stir conflicts, instead of contest.

Mahbub-ul-Alam Hanif, joint general secretary of Awami League, told Prothom Alo that the party will decide the next course of action following verification of nomination papers. They have time to fix their strategies until the deadline for nomination withdrawal.