Dhaka, Feb 23 (V7N)-The Local Government Reform Commission believes it is feasible to hold local government elections simultaneously by June.
In its recommendations, the commission said elections for union councils, upazila councils, municipalities, city corporations, and district councils can be completed by June, according to a summary of the recommendations submitted to the government last Wednesday.
Failure to do so may lead to legal complications, as the terms of many local government institutions will expire before elections are held, it said.
The commission suggested that by March or April, two consolidated local government laws—applicable to both plain and hilly regions—can be enacted through an ordinance, allowing elections to be held nationwide by June.
The proposed Local Government Commission is expected to complete the necessary groundwork on this matter before April.
However, the reform commission emphasized that achieving this goal will require consensus between the government, political parties, and the Election Commission regarding national elections.
The commission also sees an opportunity to introduce a parliamentary system within local government.
While discussions on this matter have been ongoing for a long time, no concrete steps have been taken. The commission now asserts that the conditions are favourable for such a reform.
The commission’s initial recommendations highlight that "following the July uprising, local government institutions are practically nonexistent."
It asserts that now is the time to reorganize and hold elections for all local government bodies simultaneously, painting a "new picture on a transparent canvas."
Otherwise, the expiration of terms for multiple institutions before elections are conducted may lead to legal complications.
The commission further argues that these elections would require a maximum of one and a half to two months, once every five years, making the process more cost-effective and efficient.
To facilitate this, the commission has drafted two uniform or integrated local government laws, which the interim government could enact as ordinances or a future elected government could adopt as legislation.
The commission also notes that the functions and services of local government institutions should be tailored to specific needs.
It recommends reviewing and updating existing regulations concerning governance, legislative and executive activities, standing committees, manpower management, and other administrative matters.
The proposed Local Government Commission, comprising experts, would play a key role in this process and assist the relevant ministry.
Regarding elections in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, the commission suggests amending the Hill Tracts Council and Regional Council Act to incorporate these areas into the parliamentary structure, allowing elections for the three hill district councils to be held by June.
Currently, five primary laws govern local government in Bangladesh, excluding the Chittagong Hill Tracts:
Union Parishad Act
Upazila Parishad Act
District Parishad Act
Municipality Act
City Corporation Act
Since these laws vary, the structures of union, upazila, and district councils lack consistency.
The reform commission proposed integrating the three rural local government bodies under a single law, while municipalities and city corporations should be governed by another separate unified law.
This structural reform aims to streamline governance and ensure uniformity across all local government institutions.
END/MSS/AJ
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