The Awami League at this point is not considering talks with the BNP to solve the current political impasse over the next general elections.

Although this new US visa policy is proving expedient, it would not be wise to believe that the country is intent on fostering democracy in Bangladesh.

Awami League mayor candidate Azmat Ullah Khan got 15,672 votes less than his rival in two thanas under Gazipur-2 constituency, and it eventually led to his defeat by 16,197 votes.

Development activities carried out by suspended Gazipur mayor Zahangir Alam, his close ties with the local Awami League leaders and activists and the voters’ sympathy for him were the main reasons for his mother’s victory in the mayoral polls, said voters.

The US state department has said that it was “heartened” that the Bangladesh government welcomed its decision to impose visa restrictions on those who undermine the democratic election process in Bangladesh.

The presence of the ruling Awami League was overwhelming inside and outside some polling centres in the first four hours of voting in the Gazipur City Corporation election today

Suspended Gazipur mayor Zahangir Alam yesterday said a certain quarter was using the Anti-Corruption Commission to harass him during the final moments of his mother’s election campaign.

Surely, the ruling regime understands that the more it attacks the BNP, the less reassuring its promises of ensuring a free, fair and participatory election appears to those concerned.

With the national election drawing closer, the ruling Awami League’s focus is on reorganising the party

The rift between Awami League’s mayoral candidate Abul Khair Abdullah and his nephew Serniabat Sadiq Abdullah, the incumbent mayor of Barishal, has turned into a violent face-off ahead of the city polls slated for June 12.

TDS: You had not been involved in active politics. Do you think the electoral battle is going to be tough for you?

TDS: The BNP has boycotted the election, and you are the ruling party candidate. How confident are you about winning?

The Awami League mayor candidate in the May 25 Gazipur city polls, Azamat Ullah Khan, will not have to face any party rebels as the lone dissident runner withdrew yesterday.

It appears, then, that the Awami League’s bold rhetoric of development and prosperity, transparency and good governance, and fostering democracy is rendered hollow by its own partymen – unwittingly or not.

There has been uncertainty about how participatory the next national election, slated for the end of this year or early 2024, will be as the BNP has been threatening to boycott the polls if it is held under the ruling Awami League government

The country needs a genuine election in its true sense, not a sham exercise under the pretence of maximum participation.

Opposition parties must be allowed to hold peaceful political activities.

Although they are yet to be reinstated to their previous political posts, they are carrying out political activities secretly and lobbying top AL leaders to regain their ground in politics

Both the ruling Awami League and the opposition BNP are out to get one religion-based party as an electoral ally, a gain which may help boost the vote bank ahead of the next general polls.

Party sources said the decision is likely to be finalised in today's parliamentary party meeting at the Jatiya Sangsad at 7:30pm.