Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said on Wednesday local government elections are likely to be held by the end of this year or in early 2027, reports UNB.
He also assured that the elections would be held in a free, fair and impartial manner without any political interference.
Speaking as the chief guest at a discussion organised by the Bangladesh Union Parishad Chairmen and Members Association at the auditorium of the Institution of Diploma Engineers, Bangladesh, Fakhrul said there would be no scope for anyone to influence the polls.
"Chairmen, members and women members will have to be elected through the people's support. This is the true foundation of democracy," he said.
Addressing the UP chairmen and members, Fakhrul, also the BNP secretary general, said elected representatives regularly participate in the festivals of people from different faiths and stressed the need to preserve communal harmony.
Referring to the upcoming local government elections, he said no political party, including BNP or Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, would receive any special privilege.
The minister also stressed the need for proper distribution of relief so that the rights of the poor are not violated.
He said democracy and the state system of a country become truly strong when its local government system is effective and empowered.
Empowering grassroots public representatives would help deliver services to people's doorsteps and further strengthen the foundation of democracy, he added.
Fakhrul said local governments in developed countries serve as the foundation of administration, justice, healthcare and various public services.
"But since independence, Bangladesh has not been able to bring its local government system to the desired level of strength. Now is the time to empower local government in the true sense," he said.
The minister described UP chairmen and members as the closest representatives of the people at the grassroots, saying they understand local problems, needs and opportunities better than anyone else.
He pledged to discuss their allowances with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to ensure that they receive a more respectable level of benefits.
Fakhrul underscored the need to make local government more effective and stronger to institutionalise development and democracy.
He said local representatives should be involved in identifying beneficiaries of various government programmes, including social safety net initiatives.
The minister also called for greater empowerment of women and improvements in the country's education system, saying Bangladesh would not be able to move forward without educational advancement.
He further said healthcare services should be brought closer to local government institutions so that they could play a greater role in improving public health services.
FP/R
