Amid a visible resurgence of Awami League supporters and a series of surprise street processions across Bangladesh — despite it being banned under anti-terrorism laws — the Tarique Rahman-led government will allow party members to contest the upcoming local government elections in their “individual capacities”.The deliberations reflect the challenge of managing a political force that continues to command visibility and support, especially at the grassroots, in spite of its exclusion from formal politics after the ouster of its chief Sheikh Hasina as PM in 2024.PM’s information adviser Zahed Ur Rahman said Awami League leaders holding party positions would be eligible to participate in local govt elections, provided they meet all legal requirements. “There is no problem with any individual participating in the election. However, it will become a problem if someone uses name, symbols, or slogans of a banned organisation or Awami League in campaign,” he said.Though Zahed spelled out the conditions, the move could reshape the country’s evolving political landscape, which post-2024 has been majorly restricted to Tarique-led BNP and its rivalJamaat-e-Islami.Government is expected to begin a phased rollout of local government elections after monsoon, likely from September or October.
