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Major parties bracing themselves for pourasava polls

By Nazmul Ashraf
Major political parlies .including the BNP and the Awami League (A1J are attaching special importance to the forthcoming elections to the country's pourasavas (munici-l>ahtics) that the Jatiya Sang-sad has recognised as administrative units.
The JS in its last session passed a bill making each of the municipalities and the union parishads of the country administrative units of the government
.With the boost to the status and authority of the poura-shavas. the mainstream political parties have meantime stepped up efforts aimed at gaining political advantage by participating In the polls, scheduled to be held January 30 next year.
Acconilng to sources, both the BNP and the AL have already begun frantic searches to find suitable candidates for the elections with a view to establishing their dominance over the urban-based local government units as well as testing their popularity in the municipal areas.
According to reports received in Dhaka, electioneering is going on in 92 of the 106 pourashavas where balloting is scheduled for January 30. Intending candidates for the posts of Chairmen and Commissioners are campaigning in their respective areas.
Voters arc being approached and graffiti appearing in favour of candidates belonging to different political parties and also the independent candidates.
The ruling BNP, sources said, had asked its local units at the pourashavas to list prospective candidates.
A meeting of the BNP central leaders recently empowered the MPs and local leaders to finalise the list of candidates. The meeting also discussed disciplinary action against the violators of party decision. BNP will adopt measures for a widespread campaign at the January 20 meeting of its central committee, party sources said and added that ministers, MPs and other leaders of the party would visit the municipalities soon.
As per instruction of the central committee, district-level leaders of the AL have meantime selected their candidates In many places, sources stlld adding that the task would be completed soon.
The AL has placed utmost importance to the pourasava polls to maintain its previous records in such elections.
Having won back scats that fell vacant following deaths of some party MPs, AL is now confident of winning public support. Central leaders and MPs have decided to tour the pourashavas soon, sources said.
Jatiya Party is also choosing
candidates for the elections with a view to reactivating the parly and strengthening it. Jamaat-c-lslami may also field candidates for the pourasava polls where the party has reasonable strength.
The Election Commission has drafted a set of proposals for the government to ensure free and fair elections, EC sources said adding that the proposals would be submitted to the higher authorities after the Chief Election Commissioner returns home January 4.
The proposals include: ensuring adequate security at the polling centres, keeping the administration neutral and free from political influence and strict implementation of the code of conduct.
Out of the 106 pourashavas, elections will be held in 92 January 30. Polls in the remaining 14 pourashavas arc not being held due to disputes over area-selection and ward-division.
This will be the fifth pourasava polls in the country, the last being held January 3. 1989.
January 6 has been fixed for submission of nomination papers that will be scrutinised the following day.
According to the election schedule announced by the Election Commissiori, candidatures can be withdrawn January 13 at the latest.