AL gearing up for election with no co-chair in polls body

The Election Commission is all set to hold the general election on January 7 as it announced the polls schedule on Wednesday. 

It means there are less than two months in hand.

With the election in mind, the Awami League is gearing up for the voting. The ruling party recently formed an election management committee and 14 sub-committees. 

In line with the party’s constitution, the party chief holds the key position of the committee and a former bureaucrat is tasked as its co-chairman.  
The country’s first cabinet secretary HT Imam headed the committee formed during the last three parliamentary elections. However, the post fell vacant after his death on March 4, 2021. 

On November 4, the latest committee was formed at the Ganobhaban with Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader appointed as the member secretary.

Contrary to the party constitution, this time around the co-chairman’s post has been left vacant. 

The committee comprises members from the Awami League advisory council, executive committee, and leaders of Awami League’s associate bodies. 

What makes co-chairman so important? 

Party sources said the co-chairman on behalf of the party president, Sheikh Hasina, conducts the party’s electoral activities. That is why this post carries so much significance. 

Considering the fact, the party chief picks someone for the post. Even though the post was supposed to be filled during the formation of the committee, nobody was finally selected for that.  

It is said that an experienced bureaucrat will be picked for then post. 

The responsibilities of the co-chairman

Coordination between the party chief and the leaders concerned is the key job of the co-chairman. Additionally, keeping in touch with then Election Commission and the administration, ensuring that no party men face difficulty and planning the polls strategy and the manifesto to execute those are also his responsibilities.     

However, the co-chairman will not compete in the election. 

He has to monitor the nationwide voting, make political negotiations, take decisions upon meeting the Election Commission and electioneering also fall under his jurisdiction. 

Who can be the co-chair?

Several party sources said that their chief will pick the most eligible person for the post. But anyone having the experience of coordination will be given the highest preference. 

And the announcement for the post will come soon, they added.

Speculations are running rife that former cabinet secretary Kabir Bin Anwar, former principal secretary Abul Kalam Azad, former PSC chairman Dr Mohammad Sadiq are into consideration. 

Kabir Bin Anwar has been using the room of HT Imam, from where he has been interacting with the leaders and activists of the ruling party from parts of the country.  

He inaugurated smart corners and training programmes at Awami League offices in parts of the country. He is actively participating in different events of the party.  

In the case of Abul Kalam Azad, the party’s senior leaders think that he could be picked given his age and experience. 

The third individual, Mohammad Sadiq, despite his experience and competence, thinks that he may not be tasked with the role.
“Those who are not in discussion can be picked out of nowhere,” he said. 

Obaidul Quader on November 9 said, "Sheikh Hasina is the chairman of the Election Management Committee, while I am the member secretary. The post of co-chairman has not been filled up. Fourteen sub-committees have been formed. Last time, there were also 14 sub-committees. Members of the committees are likely to be changed."

The post of co-chairman will be filled soon, he added at that time.

Awami League Presidium Member Mostafa Jalal Mohiuddin said, “The committee is formed in a democratic manner. 

Echoing Quader’s sentiment, he said the party will pick an eligible person for the post of the co-chairman that has been vacant since HT Imam’s death. 

Awami League Organising Secretary Mirza Azam termed the post very important and responsible.  

“Our party chief will appoint someone for that very soon. But now, several individuals are under consideration,” he said.