United News of Bangladesh

The government will soon take decision whether it will hold local government elections before the national polls, said Local Government, Rural Development, and Cooperatives Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan on Tuesday.  “Although discussions are in progress no final decision has been made yet. Either election will be held or administrators will be appointed to run local government institutions," he told reporters at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium on the final day of the Deputy Commissioners' (DC) Conference.  The adviser said officials who are currently managing local government institutions alongside their primary responsibilities are facing challenges. "Divisional commissioners and deputy commissioners are burdened with multiple works. I personally believe that electing public representatives is necessary to ensure proper governance," he said.  Adviser Rizwana directs DCs to protect rivers, hills and forests Responding to a question,  Asif Mahmud said that elected representatives would help maintain law and order and contribute to smoother election management. “However, the final decision rests with the government.”  Now a common complaint is the difficulty in obtaining birth, or death certificates due to the unavailability of dedicated officials, he said.

The Local Government Reform Commission is poised to recommend significant changes to expand the participation of competent individuals and improve services in local government bodies. The proposed reforms would allow full-time employees of government services, councils, or other local authorities to serve as public representatives, except in top positions like chairman or mayor. Under the new recommendations, individuals holding a full-time office of profit in the Republic or any council or local authority—who are also local voters—could become members or councillors in local government bodies. But they would be barred from serving as chairmen or mayors, which are deemed full-time roles. 6 reform commissions not submitting their reports today, new submission dates set The reform aims to attract socially accepted and skilled individuals to serve as public representatives to enhance grassroots services. Presently, existing laws prevent anyone holding a full-time office of profit in the service of the Republic, council, or local authority (e.g., government employees or teachers) from contesting local body elections. Dr Tofail Ahmed, head of the commission, emphasised that the role of members and councillors in local government bodies such as Union Parishads, Municipalities, Upazila Parishads, Zila Parishads, and City Corporations is considered part-time work, warranting the removal of current restrictions. “This system exists in other countries. Members and councillors’ roles are part-time, unlike the full-time roles of chairmen or mayors,” he said. Proposals to Improve Local Government Services To better serve local communities, the commission will also recommend increasing the number of wards in Union Parishads with large populations. Currently, each Union Parishad has nine fixed wards, as stipulated by the Local Government (Union Parishad) Act 2009. A Union Parishad consists of 13 members: one chairman, nine general ward members, and three women members from reserved seats. In another move, the commission plans to propose holding local government elections in a non-partisan manner, removing the use of political party symbols in mayoral and chairman races. This change aims to attract credible candidates and reduce political polarisation in local governance. Since 2015, political party symbols have been used in local body elections following amendments to relevant laws. Dr Ahmed highlighted that opinions from various stakeholders strongly support the removal of party symbols. “Almost a consensus has been reached over this matter,” he noted. The commission also plans to recommend higher salaries for chairmen and mayors, given their full-time responsibilities. Health reforms based on commission's recommendations: Adviser Challenges Facing Local Government Despite its crucial role in addressing grassroots problems and fostering community development, Bangladesh’s local government system faces numerous challenges, including limited resources, bureaucratic hurdles, corruption, and a lack of accountability and capacity. Financial dependence on the central government remains a significant issue, with insufficient funding and human resources impeding the effective delivery of services. Allegations of corruption and political interference further exacerbate these problems. Govt extends tenure of 6 reform commissions A Historical Perspective Local governance in Bangladesh has its roots in the British colonial period (1757–1947). The enactment of the Bengal Local Self-Government Act of 1885 laid the groundwork for decentralised administration. After independence in 1971, the Union Parishad became the primary rural administrative unit, with direct elections introduced in 1973. The Upazila Parishad system evolved from the 1982 recommendations of the Committee for Administrative Reform and Reorganisation (CARR) and was reintroduced in 1998 after being abolished in 1991. City Corporations like Dhaka and Chittagong were elevated to their status in 1990, followed by the establishment of others. The Zila Parishad, one of the oldest local government institutions, dates back to the colonial era. Despite being restructured in 1988, its effectiveness was limited until the first elections were held in 2016, marking a significant milestone in participatory democracy. The government formed the five-member Local Government Reform Commission, headed by Prof. Tofail Ahmed, through a gazette notification on November 18. The commission’s recommendations aim to strengthen the local government structure and empower grassroots institutions.

The Local Government Reform Commission (LGRC) has called on the public to share opinions and recommendations as it officially begins operations at the National Institute of Local Government (NILG) building in Agargaon, Dhaka. In a press release signed by Chairman Dr. Tofayel Ahmed, the LGRC encouraged individuals and organisations to provide feedback through the following platforms: Website: www.lgrc.gov.bdFacebook: facebook.com/lgrc24Email: [email protected] Phone: 01325212475 The commission has also requested media outlets to promote these contact details widely, including on TV scrolls.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday asked the public representatives of the local government bodies to play their due part so the people don’t suffer amid global crisis.  "We’re trying our best to make sure the people of our country won’t have to suffer amid the global crisis. As elected representatives, you have also some responsibilities. You have to discharge the duties," she said. The premier made the call while addressing the oath-taking ceremony of the newly elected chairmen and members of two district councils –Noakhali and Chapainawabganj Zila Parishads—at her office. She administered the oath to the two elected chairmen -- Abdul Wadud Pintu in Noakhali Zila Parishad and Md Ruhul Amin in Chapainawabganj Zila Parishad. Read more: 100 highways opened today are gifts for the nation in month of victory: PM Besides, LGRD Minister Md Tazul Islam administered the oath to the newly elected members of the Zila Parishads. Hasina stressed the need for boosting food production by bringing every inch of land across the country under cultivation to face the looming food crisis. "If all the arable lands across the country can be brought under cultivation, there will be no crisis in the country," she added. In this regard, the PM sought cooperation from the elected representatives to create public awareness to grow their own foods. She said the prices of every commodity, particularly imported items, have soared across the world. She asked the people to exercise austerity in every sector and make savings to overcome the global crisis. She asked the local body representatives to make proper use of the local development fund and quality works of the local projects to ensure balanced development in every area of the country. Read more: Ensure security to lives and property of people living in bordering areas: PM to BGB "I urge you all to work for the welfare of the people as elected public representatives," she said. The PM asked the local representatives to prepare a list of the homeless and landless people irrespective of political affiliation to accomplish the government’s target to ensure abodes for all homeless people of the country. Some 35 lakh landless and homeless people have so far been provided with houses across the country free of cost, she added. The elections to two district councils were held on November 14 and 28 last. Earlier the newly elected chairmen and members of 59 Zila Parishads were sworn in on November 14.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday said the only aim of her government is to establish a welfare-oriented local government for the betterment of the people. “We want to establish a public welfare-oriented local government. That’s our sole objective,” the premier said while speaking at the oath taking ceremony of the newly elected Chairmen and members of the 59 Zila Parishads of the country. Sheikh Hasina administered the oath to the newly elected 59 Chairmen of the Zila Parishods at a ceremony at Bangabandhu International Conference Center (BICC) in Dhaka. On the other hand, LGRD Minister Md Tajul Islam administered the oath to the newly elected 623 members of the Zila Parishads. The PM asked the Zila Parishad chairmen and members to identify the problems of their respective areas and solve those. “You have to think about the ways and process to improve the fate of the people of the country,” she said. She said although the elected representatives belong to different political parties, they  must all work for the entire population of their constituencies. The elections have been held in a free and fair manner, she said.   Read: PM on forex reserves: Better to spend on people's welfare than keep it idle “You are the elected representatives and you are not for enjoyment and resort to luxury. You are here to serve the people,” she said. She said that if the elected representatives can win the hearts of the people only through dedicated service to them. If the public representatives, she said, prefer plundering people’s wealth to serving them “that will be the end of their political career,” she warned.   The prime minister said that she wants to see the elected representatives to pay back the trust their voters reposed on them through selfless service.   She also asked them to take special care in keeping their areas clean to prevent spread of dengue, the mosquito-borne disease now on the rise in the country. Recalling the steps taken by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman for decentralisation of state power, the PM said the great leader had upgraded all the subdivisions to districts. In light of the initiatives of Bangabandhu, she said, the government has been working to fulfill all the basic needs of the people, including healthcare, education, housing, food and clothes. She mentioned that steps have been taken to ensure food security for all and the government is working to provide housing for every single homeless person. Read: Awami League never wasted a single taka of Bangladesh’s money: PM She directed the chairmen, members and representatives of other local government bodies to find out whether anyone left homeless in their localities and come forward to help them get houses. Hasina said the Awami League government has created scopes for all the elected representatives, irrespective of their political affiliation, to work for the development of their respective areas. She said that her government has been working to reach the cherished goal of building a hunger-and-poverty-free 'Sonar Bangla' dreamt by Bangabandhu. She said the elected officials have now greater responsibilities in serving the people who have chosen them through ballots.

Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Minister Md Tajul Islam warned that stern action will be taken if anyone creates anarchy in the country by vandalism and bombings in the name of the movement. He said, “Movement is democratic right of the people. But nobody has the right to create anarchy in the name of rights.” Tajul urged the opposition political parties to play a responsible role in this regard. The minister came up with the observation while addressing a discussion organised by Bangladesh Upazila Parishad Association marking National Mourning Day at Dhaka Reporters Unity on Saturday as the chief guest. A dua mahfil and blood donation campaign were also arranged on the occasion.     Criticising the opposition parties, he said, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been working relentlessly to fulfil the dream of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. On the other hand, an anti-liberation force is engaged to confuse the people.   Tajul also said Bangladesh never loses its destination led by Sheikh Hasina. Read: Quader asks party to be careful with words during crisis The senior Awami League leader said people from all over the world are struggling due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The government has temporarily hiked the fuel prices to face the crisis. All have to face the crisis unitedly. He also claimed that Bangladesh is still in a good position compared to the other countries in the world.  The minister said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina always wants the wellbeing of the people. “Whatever, she decides, it will be pro-people.” Regarding foreign loans, Tajul said international organisations and other development partners offer debt to Bangladesh as the country can refund it. He also urged the people to refrain from circulating propaganda about a Sri-Lanka-like situation in Bangladesh. Bangladesh Upazila Parishad Association president Harun-ur-Rashid chaired the function while Bangladesh Awami League Health and Population Affairs Secretary Dr Rebeka Sultana, among others, was present. Siful Islam Khan Biru, General Secretary of the organisation moderated it. 

The government is focusing on strengthening the local government system and rural development to make economic growth inclusive. According to a budgetary document, to ensure strengthening the local government system, total expenditure in the rural development sector will increase by an average of 8.7 per cent to Tk. 475.12 billion by 2023-24 fiscal. The estimation for the local government and rural development in 2023-24 fiscal is Tk 477.67 billion, while it will be Tk 435.34 billion for 2022-23 fiscal. Read:Tomato cultivation transforms lives of Bagerhat farmers The allocation for the sector is Tk 421.93 billion for the running 2021-22 fiscal whereas it was Tk 424.26 billion in the revised budget of 2020-21 fiscal, Tk 323.90 billion in 2019-20 fiscal and Tk 313.55 billion in 2018-19 fiscal. The government has adopted a realistic plan of action to ensure potable water supply across the country including the capital city of Dhaka, reduce water logging in urban areas, ensure 100 per cent sanitation, and conserve and use groundwater instead of underground water sources.  The government is implementing multi-faceted activities to develop the country's economy, according to the official document.

More than 700 Union Parishads (UPs) are set to go to polls on Wednesday in the 5th phase countrywide elections to the lowest tier of the local government. The election will be held in 708 UPs on Wednesday, said Joint Secretary of the Election Commission Secretariat SM Asaduzzman on Tuesday. A total of 36,457 candidates are there in the election race for the chairman and member posts of 708 UPs at 95 upazilas in 48 districts. Of them, 3,278 are chairman contenders for 708 posts, according to the EC’s factsheet. Read: Pre-polls violence: 30 injured in Bhola However, 48 chairman contestants have already been declared elected unopposed, finding no rivals against their respective posts. Besides, 33 candidates for reserve seats and 112 for member posts have been elected uncontested in different UPs. In the 708 UPs, the total number of voters is 14.2 million under 7,137 polling stations. Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) will be used in 40 UPs, while traditional ballot papers will be used in the remaining bodies in the 5th phase polls. EVMs will be used in 40 UPs, while traditional ballot papers in the remaining bodies in the 5th phase polls, said EC officials. The Election Commission on November 27 last announced the 5th phase polls schedules for 707 UPs of 47 districts. Later, another UP was incorporated in the 5th phase elections. The deadline for the submission of nomination papers was December 07, while the date for scrutinising the nomination papers was December 09 and the last date for the withdrawal of candidature was December 15. Read:Some 390 independent chairman candidates elected in 4th phase UP Polls The 707 UPs include 8 in Panchagarh district, 19 in Dinajpur, 11 in Nilphamari, 7 in Lalmonirhat, 7 in Kurigram, 16 in Gaibandha, 5 in Joypurhat, 22 in Bogura, 14 in Chapainawabganj, 23 in Naogaon, 19 in Rajshahi, 11 in Natore, 16 in Sirajganj, 15 in Pabna, 11 in Kushtia, 20 in Jhenaidah, 23 in Jashore, 16 in Satkhira, 12 in Bhola, 5 in Pirojpur, 11 in Jamalpur, 8 in Sherpur, 26 in Mymensigh, 21 in Netrakona , 13 in Tangail, 15 in Kishoreganj, 21 in Manikganj, 7 in Munshiganj, 11 in Dhaka, 8 in Gazipur, 15 in Narsingdi, 10 in Rajbari, 15 in Faridpur, 15 in Gopalganj, 2 in Madaripur, 17 in Shariatpur, 17 in Sunamganj, 18 in Sylhet, 18 in Moulvibazar, 21 in Habiganj, 19 in Brahmanbaria, 25 in Cumilla, 27 in Chandpur, 12 in Feni, 20 in Noakhali, 25 in Chattogram, 5 in Khagrachhari and 3 in Bandarban.

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Md Tajul Islam on Friday said that recognising the government’s good works is important alongside constructive criticism.

The government plans to spend almost Tk 500 billion over the next 3 years in rural development and for strengthening the local government system.