Local govt polls likely by year-end or early 2027, to be free and fair: Fakhrul
A country's democracy and state system become truly strong only when its local government system is effective and empowered, he says.
Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today (22 July) 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 political interference.
Speaking as the chief guest at a discussion organised by the Bangladesh Union Parishad Chairmen and Members Association at the Institution of Diploma Engineers, Bangladesh, he said there would be no scope for anyone to influence the elections and that candidates would 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.
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Referring to the upcoming local government elections, he said no political party — BNP or Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami — would 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. Empowering grassroots representatives would help deliver services to people's doorsteps and strengthen the foundation of democracy.
Fakhrul said local governments in developed countries serve as the foundation of administration, justice, healthcare and 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.
Describing UP chairmen and members as the closest representatives of the people, he said they understand local problems, needs and opportunities better than anyone else. He pledged to discuss their allowances with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and said local representatives should be involved in selecting beneficiaries of government programmes, including social safety net initiatives.
Fakhrul also called for greater empowerment of women and improvements in education and healthcare through stronger local government institutions.
