Adviser to the Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting, Dr Zahed Ur Rahman, has said that leaders and activists of the banned Awami League (AL) may be able to take part in the upcoming local government elections if they meet the required conditions.

He made the remarks on Tuesday (June 9) while responding to questions at a press briefing in the conference room of the Information Department (PID) at the Secretariat, where he discussed the progress of various government activities.

When asked whether the government would allow the Awami League to participate in the upcoming local government elections, the adviser said, “There is no problem at all. I mean, if an individual wants to participate in the election, and if he is from the Awami League—since this is a non-partisan election, no one will speak in terms of party affiliation. An individual may come forward, but if he conducts his campaign mentioning the Awami League or its positions, that would be a problem. Otherwise, if a non-partisan candidate fulfills the required criteria for the election, he can contest. Certainly, he can.”

When asked what would happen if a candidate held an official position in the Awami League, he said, “Regarding Awami League posts and positions, since the organisation’s activities are currently banned, those positions are not being used and cannot be used. Any individual, if they meets the required criteria, may decide to contest the election. There is no obstacle from the government in this regard.”