# Ministers, MPs ordered to remove children and relatives from election
# Parliamentary party meet likely held in early May, instructions will be given
# EC seeks explanation from state minister's brother-in-law over abduction
The ruling party Awami League (AL) has taken a tough stance to prevent the influence of local ministers and MPs in the upazila parishad elections. The Election Commission (EC) has already announced the election schedule for three phases one by one. Since the schedule, potential candidates and their supporters of the concerned upazilas have been trying to occupy the field.
The general candidates of the AL are under pressure as the government ministers and MPs have nominated their relatives as candidates. In the meantime, many influential ministers and MPs are taking a stand in favor of their relatives, the normal situation of the election is being disrupted.
An AL MP has threatened not to develop the area if he does not vote for his son. Another general candidate was tensed due to the abduction of another candidate of the upazila to be the brother-in-law of the AL's controversial state minister. The top leaders of AL were angry over such incidents. Sheikh Hasina, the president of the party, asked the responsible leaders to be strict to create a normal election environment across the country.
In light of the directive of Sheikh Hasina, AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader held an informal meeting at the political office of the party president in Dhanmondi yesterday. Some MPs, who were accused of disrupting the normal atmosphere of the election, were given strict instructions over the telephone after yesterday's meeting.
The AL wants the election to be festive, fearless, and free from political influence. AL will do everything necessary to create that environment.
It was known that the local administration has been instructed from the high level of the government so that the ministers and MPs of the government cannot influence the upazila elections. The second session of the Jatiya Sangsad will begin on May 2. The first phase of the upazila elections will be held on May 8, before which a meeting of the AL Parliamentary Party is scheduled to be held during the parliament session. Among other agendas in the meeting, the issue of keeping the upazila elections free from influence will be emphasized. Such information has been found in AL party sources. Besides, there is a possibility of a meeting of the AL Central Working Committee before the election. The price agenda of the meeting will be to hold the upazila elections peacefully and competitively.
After an informal meeting held at the political office of the AL president yesterday, the family members of the ministers, MPs and their close relatives have been instructed to step aside from the upazila elections. The organizational secretaries of the party are giving party instructions in their respective divisions. The party has also warned that organizational action will be taken against those who disobey the instructions.
Meanwhile, AL central committee has asked Ekramul Karim Chowdhury, MP of Noakhali-4 constituency, to withdraw his son from the upazila parishad election. Similarly, Madaripur MP Shajahan Khan was called and asked to remove his son from the election. Earlier, a letter was sent to the ministers and MPs on behalf of the party.
The first phase of upazila parishad elections will be held on May 8. In this phase, there are 14 candidates in 150 upazilas who are children and relatives of AL MPs. Noakhali-4 constituency MP Ekramul Karim Chowdhury has nominated his son Shabab Chowdhury as the chairman candidate of Subarnachar upazila.He announced that he would not develop the area if his son did not vote.
State Minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak's brother-in-law has been nominated as a candidate in the Singra upazila parishad election in Natore district. A complaint was filed against him with the EC for abducting a rival candidate. The EC has already summoned the state minister's brother-in-law to come to the Election Commission in person and respond to the allegations.
In a letter signed by EC Deputy Secretary Atiar Rahman on April 17, the state minister's brother-in-law and upazila chairman candidate Lutful Habib was asked to appear at the Nirbachan Bhaban in Agargaon. The EC issued the letter in connection with the abduction of rival candidate Delwar Hossain. Lutful Habib is the chairman of Shercol Union Parishad of Singra. At the same time, he is the joint general secretary of Singra Upazila AL.
According to the letter, the EC has noticed the news of abduction of three people, including the chairman candidate and his brother, in Singra centering the upazila parishad election.
Another candidate Delwar Hossain blamed chairman candidate Lutful Habib for the incident. The primary truth of the incident was found on the basis of media reports, footage of the abduction and local administration and intelligence reports. A written explanation has been sought as to why the candidature of Lutful Habib, who is responsible for the incident, should not be canceled or appropriate legal action should not be taken.
Meanwhile, AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader sent a statement to the media yesterday. In a statement signed by party office secretary Barrister Biplob Barua, Quader said the AL has given strict organizational directives so that ministers, MPs and party leaders cannot interfere in the upazila parishad elections. Obaidul Quader said AL also had to adopt a strategic position in a different context as BNP took an anti-election stance. So AL is not allocating the party symbol this time. AL expects that a person acceptable to the people is elected within and outside the party. At the same time, Obaidul Quader requested the leaders and activists of the organization to extend all-out cooperation to the EC to hold a free, fair and peaceful election.
ZH
