The Upazila Parishad election is going to occur in four successive phases. The Upazila Parishad, being the second tier of the existing local government entities, plays a crucial role in the overall development of the country. Therefore, these elections hold great importance within the nation.

In addition to its significance, the election must be conducted in a festive and participatory manner, with several candidates vying for office. This is crucial for the establishment and consolidation of democracy. Given the significance of the Upazila Parishad election in promoting local development, it is imperative that all political parties actively participate in the electoral process.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s (BNP) decision to boycott elections is detrimental to both their interests and the promotion of democratic principles. As the Upazila Parishad election will not be conducted based on political parties, all candidates - regardless of their political beliefs - will have the opportunity to participate in the election.

Hence, if the BNP fails to restrict their leaders from participating in elections, it will face difficulties in maintaining its organisational prowess at the local level. Meanwhile, both print and electronic media sources have documented the expulsion of over 70 BNP leaders from the party due to their involvement in the first phase of the election.

Thus, the party will face a significant dilemma over the number of leaders who will be expelled from the party during the four stages of the election. What will be the repercussions of removing a significant number of candidates from the party? The party leadership should give careful consideration to these issues.

In recognition of the significance of the Upazila Parishad election and the detrimental effects of the ruling MPs and ministers exerting control at the local level, the central leadership of the ruling party, the Awami League, has implemented a ban on the participation of relatives of MPs and ministers in the Upazila Parishad elections.

This implies that the election would prohibit any relatives of the MPs and ministers from participating. Should any of the leaders violate the instructions, they will face punishment.

The party’s central leadership has deemed it necessary to make this choice to protect the party from the influence of powerful factions, therefore providing an opportunity for dedicated leaders to demonstrate their abilities.

Naturally, one may question the rationality of such a move, considering the possibility that certain influential leaders may have familial connections to the MPs or ministers. These individuals would be denied their right to participate in the election. Undoubtedly, similar situations may be found.

Nevertheless, to enhance the organisational strength of the party, the AL leadership has made a tough decision. This will enable dedicated and marginalised leaders to demonstrate their popularity. It is crucial to note that several situations have occurred nationwide where dedicated leaders and followers of the ruling party have been marginalised by influential Members of Parliament and ministries, together with their newly formed leadership groups comprised of infiltrators.

Now, a crucial issue arises as to why the Upazila Parishad election holds great significance for development. This has significant importance for several reasons. The Upazila Parishad is located at the Upazila level, which is home to a significant portion of the population.

These entities might engage individuals in the process of making and carrying out decisions related to various activities that would empower citizens. Furthermore, the Uapzial Parishad serves as the primary conduit for the majority of services provided by the central government at the local level.

Therefore, this entity has the potential to significantly contribute to the efficiency of government service delivery at the regional level. Furthermore, the Upazila Parishad operates in a closely coordinated manner with the Union Parishad, which serves as the third level of the current local government entities. The Upazila Parishad might play a crucial role in maintaining the synchronisation of government services across various levels of local government.

Undoubtedly, the Upazila Parishad possesses several potentials to actively assist the government in achieving its developmental objectives.

Nevertheless, many obstacles are impeding the efficient functioning of these organisations. Although there are certain obstacles, the Upazila Parishad has the potential to serve as a catalyst in educating the citizens, guaranteeing efficient service delivery, and promoting accountability and openness in government services. Therefore, this organisation has great importance in the overall development of the nation.

In light of the aforementioned considerations, the Upazila Parishad election holds great significance within the democratic framework of the country. Hence, the ruling party has placed great importance on the elections, recognising that securing a win in the majority in the Upazila Parishads would provide them significant influence over the local political landscape.

However, the opposition has been actively boycotting the polls, in line with their historical practice of boycotting elections. They are unable to derive insights from their past mistakes. Therefore, the citizens of Bangladesh anticipate that all political parties will recognise the significance of the Upazila Parishad election and approach the elections with an unbiased mindset.

We anticipate a comprehensive and engaging election participated by candidates from all political parties. This election is not only crucial for strengthening democracy but also for propelling the country towards its next phase of development.
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The writer is a Professor in the Department of Public Administration at the University of Rajshahi