PM Hasina directs inclusion of dummy candidates in uncontested seats

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday announced that she has instructed the inclusion of dummy candidates from the party in constituencies where there is no opposition candidate.

Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader officially revealed the final list of candidates for 298 seats on Sunday afternoon.

Earlier in the day, aspirants met with the prime minister at Ganabhaban. During the meeting, Sheikh Hasina cautioned the aspirants, adding that action would be taken against anyone elected without a contest, according to media reports.

Emphasizing the need to make the 12th election competitive, the prime minister said: "No one can pass without competition. If there is no candidate from another party, each candidate shall have one party dummy candidate.”

In a bid to create a festive atmosphere for the election, the Awami League leader ordered the party to extend support and encouragement not only to the “boat” symbol candidate but also to independent candidates or those from other parties.

Prime Minister President Sheikh Hasina also said Awami League doesn't want to cling to power by flattering anyone outside the country as the people are its strength.

"We have no other guardian other than the people of the country… Being a  daughter of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, I'm not doing the politics of sycophancy to stay in power," she said.

Sheikh Hasina, also the president of ruling Awami League, said this while exchanging views with 3,369 people who had sought her party’s tickets for January 7 parliamentary polls at her official residence Ganabhaban.

The prime minister's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters after the meeting held at the prime minister’s official residence Ganabhaban.

Sheikh Hasina, also chairman of the Awami League Parliamentary Board, said that people of the country attained independence through huge sacrifice and bloodshed under the leadership of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

"This soil is ours. No whipping from outside will be tolerated. We are not dependent on others as the people are our strength" she said.

Briefly describing the measures taken by her government in the last 15 years for the socio-economic development of Bangladesh, she said the people have got peace and wellbeing as the Awami League has been in power.

"The development will be continued if the people of the country voted the Awami League to power again," she said.

Sheikh Hasina said being the prime minister and daughter of Bangabandhu she works for all irrespective of party affiliation.

She said that the development of the country is now visible because her party has been in power for the three consecutive terms through democratic process.

The nomination board finalized the names of the party’s candidates for 300 seats in three sittings from November 23 to 25.