Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday said local government elections are likely to be held either by the end of this year or in early 2027, assuring that the polls will be conducted in a free, fair and impartial manner without any political interference.
Speaking as the chief guest at a discussion organised by the Bangladesh Union Parishad Chairmen and Members Association at the auditorium of the Institution of Diploma Engineers, Bangladesh, he said there will be no scope for anyone to influence the elections and that candidates will have to secure victory through the people's support.
Addressing UP chairmen and members, Fakhrul, also BNP secretary general, said elected representatives regularly participate in the festivals of people from different faiths and stressed that communal harmony must be preserved.
Referring to the upcoming local government elections, he said no political party – BNP or Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami – will receive any special privilege. "Chairmen, members and women members will have to be elected through the people's support. This is the true foundation of democracy," he said.
The minister also stressed the need for proper distribution of relief so that the rights of the poor are not violated.
He said a country's democracy and state system become truly strong only when its local government system is effective and empowered, noting that empowering grassroots public representatives will help deliver services to people's doorsteps and further strengthen the foundation of democracy.
Fakhrul said local governments in developed countries serve as the foundation of administration, justice, healthcare and various public services.
"But since independence, Bangladesh has not been able to bring its local government system to that desired level of strength. Now is the time to empower local government in the true sense," he said.
The minister described UP chairmen and members as the closest representatives of the people at the grassroots who understand local problems, needs, and opportunities better than anyone else, pledging to discuss their allowances with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to ensure they receive a more respectable level of benefits.
He underscored the need for making local government more effective and stronger to institutionalise development and democracy.
Fakhrul said local representatives should be involved in determining beneficiaries of various government programmes, including social safety net initiatives.
He also called for greater empowerment of women and improvements in the country's education system, saying Bangladesh will not be able to move forward without educational advancement.
The minister said healthcare services should also be brought closer to local government institutions so they can play a greater role in improving public health services.