Dhaka: Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced that the decision regarding the use of party symbols in local government elections will be determined in Parliament. “It will be decided in the Parliament,” stated Fakhrul when queried about the potential inclusion of party symbols in local government polls.
According to United News of Bangladesh, Fakhrul provided these remarks while addressing reporters at the Secretariat, following the induction of newly appointed administrators for six city corporations. He emphasized the government’s belief that political appointees, rather than government officials, would enhance service delivery to the populace. “If political persons are in charge, people will receive services more effectively. That is our belief. That is why we have appointed political individuals as administrators. This will increase engagement with citizens,” Fakhrul elaborated.
When asked about his personal views on conducting local polls with party symbols, Fakhrul, a seasoned politician and minister, maintained that personal opinions hold no ground. “We have a party decision and we will act accordingly,” the BNP leader asserted. He confirmed that the issue is likely to be addressed in the upcoming parliamentary session on March 12.
The minister also shed light on the election timeline, affirming that elections will commence in local government bodies whose terms have expired. “There is a possibility that two elections may be held before those in Dhaka. Others whose tenure has ended will also go to polls first,” he noted. Fakhrul described the election process as ongoing, stating, “Elections will be held in phases. Local government elections are a continuous process-when one body’s tenure ends, elections are held, whether it is a union parishad or an upazila.”
State Minister for Local Government Mir Shahe Alam expressed confidence that political administrators would outperform bureaucrats due to their closer public engagement. He mentioned that appointing political administrators aims to revive inactive local government bodies. The six newly appointed administrators have committed to addressing civic issues such as mosquito control, traffic congestion, and road repairs, all within a 60-day action plan to alleviate public challenges.