Staff Reporter:
The ruling Awami League has finalised the party’s 72 candidates for two divisions – Rajshahi and Rangpur – in the 12th general elections.
Some 12 current members of parliament (MPs) are likely to be dropped, sources within the party said. The nomination of the two divisions was finalised at the party’s Parliamentary Nomination Board meeting on Thursday.
The meeting was held at Dhaka district Awami League office at Tejgaon in the capital and party President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina presided over the meeting.
However, the names of Awami League candidates who are going to contest in the 12th parliament election will be known tomorrow, said Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader at a press briefing after adjourning the nomination board meeting till 10:00am on Friday.
Obaidul Quader said, “The final list of nominees against 300 seats will be published on Saturday, the last day of the nomination board meeting.”
Awami League General Secretary said, “Today, candidates have been finalised for a total of 72 constituencies including 33 in Rangpur and 39 in Rajshahi. We will not announce the names until the nominations are finalised in all the constituencies. We will officially announce our nominations on 25 November. The meeting has been adjourned till 10:00am tomorrow (Friday).”
Although the names of the first meeting have not been revealed yet, some of those who sat in Parliament as ‘Boat’ symbol candidates in the 11th National Parliament elections are also being dropped this time.
“I cannot say at the moment how many members of the current parliament are being dropped, but there are some who have been dropped. During the selection of candidates, we are preferring those candidates who are acceptable to the people. The names of the candidates will be announced on 25 November,” said Obaidul Quader.
In response to a question about the rebel candidates, the party general secretary said, “First we will see who rebels, then we will make a decision.”
He said, “There is a festive atmosphere centring the election across the country. It is difficult to say who is allied with whom and where it will stop. More coalitions may be formed before the elections as there is time.”
Members of the Awami League Parliamentary Nomination Board were present, party Office Secretary Biplab Barua and Deputy Office Secretary Sayem Khan were present at the meeting.
