BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Sunday said the Election Commission (EC) and the courts-not political parties-will determine who is eligible to contest the upcoming local government elections.
Speaking to reporters at Election Commission building after submitting the party’s annual financial statement, Rizvi said the local government polls would be held on a non-party basis and that eligibility would be decided in accordance with existing laws.
“The local government elections will be held in a non-partisan manner. Who can contest and who cannot is a matter for the courts and the Election Commission. They will determine eligibility under the prevailing legal framework,” he said.
Rizvi, who also serves as the prime minister’s political adviser, made the remarks in response to a question about the possible participation of Awami League leaders in the local polls.
Earlier in the day, a three-member BNP delegation submitted the party’s audited financial statement for the 2025 calendar year to EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed.
Responding to a question about Jamaat-e-Islami’s request to the Election Commission to bar Awami League leaders from contesting the elections, Rizvi said the issue should be addressed strictly in line with the law.
“It is not for any political party to decide. The Election Commission has the responsibility to determine who is eligible to contest under the existing laws and any new legal provisions. We are leaving the matter to the Commission,” he said.
Asked how BNP would select candidates for the non-party local elections, Rizvi said the party’s highest policymaking forum would decide the process.
“As the elections will be held without party symbols, our highest policymaking body will determine how our candidates will participate. No decision has been taken yet,” he said.
On whether BNP would endorse any candidates in the local polls, Rizvi said the party had not finalised its position.
“Once a decision is made, we will inform you,” he added.
Regarding BNP’s next national council, Rizvi said party Chairman Tarique Rahman and Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir had already indicated that the council would be held.
“The council will certainly take place, but no decision has yet been made regarding the date or month. We hope it will be held soon, and the schedule will be announced once it is finalised,” he said.
The BNP delegation also included Treasurer M Rashiduzzaman Millat and Assistant Office Secretary Monir Hossain.
According to the party’s audited financial statement, BNP earned Tk 22.19 crore and spent Tk 15.26 crore during the 2025 calendar year, leaving a surplus of Tk 6.93 crore.
The party started the year with an opening balance of Tk 21.14 crore and ended 2025 with a total balance of Tk 28.07 crore.
