NDM urges EC to disqualify AL leaders from contesting as independents or from other parties
Hajjaj proposes increasing the election expenditure limit from Tk25 lakh to Tk40 lakh
The National Democratic Movement (NDM) has called on the Election Commission (EC) to declare ineligible any leaders of the Bangladesh Awami League or its affiliated organisations who attempt to run in elections as independent candidates or as nominees of other parties.
The demand was made during a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin yesterday, according to NDM Chairman Bobby Hajjaj.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Bobby Hajjaj said that any central, district or upazila-level committee member of a political organisation currently under suspension by executive order of the government, or any central committee member of an affiliated organisation, must be declared ineligible for contesting the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Elections.
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When asked by reporters, he clarified that by "suspended registration" he was referring specifically to the Awami League. "Since the law has been enacted, its spirit must be upheld. Therefore, the EC should find a way to disqualify such candidates," he said.
He further explained that the EC has a list of leaders from the Awami League's central, district, and upazila-level executive committees. "We have asked that these individuals not be allowed to hide their party identity and run as independents or as nominees from other parties."
Referring to Section 7 of the existing law, Hajjaj said that the EC's decision on constituency delimitation is final. Therefore, applications regarding this must be resolved and gazetted within 60 days. He stressed that the total number of seats in a district must remain unchanged and that no parliamentary constituency located within one district should be transferred to another. Where possible, upazilas should be kept undivided.
Bobby Hajjaj said a dialogue must be organised with all registered political parties to create a conducive environment for elections, targeting early February 2026 as the likely timeframe.
He also urged the EC to inform the nation promptly if any discussions had already taken place with the interim government regarding the election schedule and date.
Finally, Hajjaj proposed increasing the election expenditure limit from Tk25 lakh to Tk40 lakh.
