Anyone who meets the requirements will be able to contest the upcoming local government elections, as the polls will not be held on a party basis, State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Mir Shahe Alam on Thursday said, referring to Awami League leaders and activists.

“There is no question of contesting here as an Awami League candidate. There is no opportunity to participate in the election on a party basis. There will be no party nomination or party symbol,” he said while talking to reporters at the Secretariat.

Asked about the government’s message regarding the participation of Awami League leaders and activists in the local government elections, Shahe Alam said, “The government’s message is clear. Since this is not a party-based election, everyone who is legally eligible to contest as a valid candidate will be able to participate.”

He said BNP has decided to support candidates locally rather than contest the elections as a party. “The upazila BNP may select one candidate for each union. The party's highest policy-making level has also instructed local BNP leaders to make their utmost efforts to have a single candidate in every union,” he said.

The state minister said the government's role will be to assist the Election Commission in holding a free, fair and neutral election.

The local and central administrations will assist the Election Commission in ensuring security for all eligible candidates and enabling them to conduct their election campaigns properly, he said.