Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Mashud said at an event at Nirbachan Bhawan on March 1 that various local government elections will be held throughout the year after Eid.
However, they are waiting for the first session of Parliament to decide whether the elections will be held on party symbols or on a non-partisan basis.
Awami League leaders believe that elections within professional organizations are comparatively easier, because although there is some influence of party politics, it is not as intense.
However, local government elections require organizational preparation and candidate selection at the grassroots level. They are planning to start these preparations after Eid-ul-Fitr.
Writer and political analyst Mohiuddin Ahmed said the local government elections could certainly present an opportunity for the Awami League, whose activities are now banned.
Many well-known and influential local leaders of the party may avoid contesting elections due to fear of harassment. However, there are many locally popular individuals who did not get opportunities during their party’s rule and may now get a chance to contest elections, he said.
However, Mohiuddin Ahmed also told Prothom Alo that while it is true that local government elections may allow the Awami League to re-enter electoral politics, it is difficult to say whether the party can make a national political comeback.
Much of its leadership is hidden, and there is no sign of remorse among them for past actions. Therefore, he said, the party will need to do much more to make a comeback in national politics.