Apologise if you are to join polls
LGRD Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain yesterday said the Awami League members not involved in the July atrocities can participate in polls after apologising to people for the crimes committed by their colleagues.
"If someone [AL members] wants to contest elections, there will be no obstruction. They can contest polls. However, if any person is accused of mass killing, they will not be allowed to participate in the elections under any circumstances," he added.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. Asif Mahmud made the remarks while speaking to journalists after the sixth session of the third and final day of the Deputy Commissioners' Conference 2025 at Osmani Memorial Auditorium in Dhaka.
He also said no final decision has been made regarding local government elections before the national election, but a decision regarding the matter will be taken soon.
"Officials currently performing additional responsibilities as [administrators] in various local government institutions, frequently urging us to appoint [full-time] administrators or conduct elections," he said.
Asif also said that not having elected representatives in local government institutions for so long has become a grave issue.
He pointed out that divisional commissioners are performing additional responsibilities to run some city corporations, and district commissioners have to fulfil the duties of the district councils.
"When an officer has to perform two or three duties, it becomes difficult for one person to handle all the responsibilities together," Asif said.
He said the government will decide whether to hold elections or appoint administrators to run the local government agencies.
It would be good to hold local government elections before the national election. Local government institutions can play an important role in organising a good national election.
"But my personal opinion does not determine the decision. The final decision will come from the government after discussions with other political parties," the adviser said.
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