Govt may appoint administrators to local government bodies for indefinite period in some cases

The Parliament today (9 April) passed four separate bills allowing the government to appoint administrators to local government bodies for an indefinite period under "special circumstances," despite strong protestations from opposition lawmakers.

The bills—aimed at amending the laws for City Corporations, Zila Parishads, Upazila Parishads, and Municipalities—effectively formalise ordinances previously promulgated by the interim government.

The bills—Local Government (Zila Parishad) (Amendment) Bill, Local Government (Municipality) (Amendment) Bill, Local Government (City Corporation) (Amendment) Bill, and Local Government (Upazila Parishad) (Amendment) Bill—were eventually passed by voice vote after the opposition's objections were rejected.

In a significant shift, the House also scrapped the provision for holding local government elections under party symbols, a move that received broad consensus across the floor.

While the removal of party symbols was welcomed, the provision for appointing administrators triggered a heated debate. Opposition members characterised the move as a "blow to democracy," arguing that it leaves the definition of "special circumstances" and "appropriate persons" dangerously vague.

Opposing the City Corporation (Amendment) Bill, NCP lawmaker Abdul Hannan Masood labelled it a "black law."

"There is no clear explanation of what constitutes a 'special situation.' Does it mean removing a representative for failing to implement a party agenda or refusing illegal favours? Furthermore, who is an 'appropriate person'? Is it a party cadre, a loyalist, or the offspring of a minister?" He questioned.

Echoing similar concerns during the discussion on the Zila Parishad (Amendment) Bill, Jamaat-e-Islami MP Gazi Enamul Huq argued that the amendment contradicts three specific articles of the Constitution.

Citing several court precedents, he asserted that appointing administrators in place of elected representatives is illegal.

"During stable times, replacing officials with political appointees turns these institutions into a 'club for the deprived' rather than a service for the public," Huq remarked.

Responding to the criticisms, State Minister for Local Government Mir Shahe Alam clarified that the bills were primarily intended to codify the ordinances issued by the interim government following the political transition on 5 August.

He explained that the "special circumstances" currently exist because elections cannot be held immediately due to the recent legislative changes, specifically the abolition of the party-symbol system.

"The appointment of administrators is a temporary necessity to ensure that public services are not disrupted while we transition back to a non-partisan electoral framework," the state minister added.