The Election Commission (EC) has decided to abolish the online nomination submission system for the upcoming local government elections, reverting to the traditional method of physical submission. The current commission is moving away from the digital framework introduced by the previous Kazi Habibul Awal administration.
Under the new policy, candidates or their authorised representatives must submit their nomination papers in person. Commission sources said this shift aims to ensure direct engagement between local government representatives and the public.
Officials also highlighted security concerns.
They noted that an online portal could allow individuals associated with banned or controversial political parties to submit nominations from within or outside the country, potentially creating legal and administrative complications later.
EC officials confirmed that a policy decision has been made to cancel the online facility for local polls, aligning the process with national elections.
They argued this step is necessary to prevent undesirable situations. The previous EC introduced online submissions during the 11th parliamentary elections and upazila parishad polls.
The rationale at the time was to streamline the process, prevent the obstruction of candidates, and reduce code of conduct violations. The digital system was specifically designed to curb clashes at the field level, mob tactics, and incidents where rival candidates were blocked from filing their papers.
However, the current commission believes physical presence is essential for local elections. They maintain that any potential obstacles during the submission process can be managed by enforcing strict law and order measures.
Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud told TIMES of Bangladesh that local government elections directly concern the people of a specific area. Therefore, the commission prioritises the direct participation of the candidate, their proposer, or their supporters over a purely digital process, he said.
Addressing concerns about candidate harassment, Commissioner Masud assured that the EC would take strict action against anyone obstructing the submission process.
He emphasised that maintaining law and order is a state responsibility, and the commission is committed to ensuring a fair electoral environment.
When asked about the possibility of expatriates submitting forms online, he clarified that local representatives must maintain close ties with their constituents.
Consequently, sending forms online from Dhaka or abroad is not permitted. The candidate, their proposer, or a supporter must submit the papers in person. If none of them appear, it will be assumed the individual is uninterested in contesting.
Masud added that the commission opposes an electoral culture resembling tender bidding. Anyone eligible is welcome to contest regardless of their political, religious, or group affiliations, provided they adhere to the requirement of physical submission.
Election analysts, however, have expressed disagreement with the decision.
Badiul Alam Majumder, secretary of the civil society platform SUJON, told TIMES that an online submission system should be retained for all types of nominations to ensure good governance.
He argued that digital submissions would significantly reduce the risk of candidate harassment and eliminate opportunities for mobs to display muscle power during the filing process.
Furthermore, he noted that an online system would prevent any candidate from being physically barred from submitting their nomination.
