UZ polls no marker of popularity: Mahmud

On the eve of the first phase of the upazila (UZ) elections, the ruling Awami League (AL) has sought to play down the importance of the local polls as a marker of nationwide popularity. Stressing the upazila polls’ local essence, party’s Publicity and Publications Secretary Dr Hasan Mahmud told UNB over phone on Tuesday evening that important as they are, “there is no scope for drawing conclusions regarding a party’s popularity at the national level from local elections.” Dismissing suggestions that the upazila polls assumed greater national relevance in light of the parliamentary elections held last January 5, Dr Mahmud pointed out that there is no direct participation of political parties in these elections. Nevertheless, it is well known that political parties do play a part in upazila elections by lending the organisational strength they enjoy throughout the nation to their favoured candidates.