Local Government Reform Commission to propose crucial changes

News Desk :: The Local Government Reform Commission is poised to recommend significant changes to expand the participation of competent individuals and improve services in local government bodies. The proposed reforms would allow full-time employees of government services, councils, or other local authorities to serve as public representatives, except in top positions like chairman or mayor.

Under the new recommendations, individuals holding a full-time office of profit in the Republic or any council or local authority-who are also local voters-could become members or councillors in local government bodies. But they would be barred from serving as chairmen or mayors, which are deemed full-time roles.

The reform aims to attract socially accepted and skilled individuals to serve as public representatives to enhance grassroots services. Presently, existing laws prevent anyone holding a full-time office of profit in the service of the Republic, council, or local authority (e.g., government employees or teachers) from contesting local body elections.

Dr Tofail Ahmed, head of the commission, emphasised that the role of members and councillors in local government bodies such as Union Parishads, Municipalities, Upazila Parishads, Zila Parishads, and City Corporations is considered part-time work, warranting the removal of current restrictions. “This system exists in other countries. Members and councillors’ roles are part-time, unlike the full-time roles of chairmen or mayors,” he said.

Proposals to Improve Local Government Services

To better serve local communities, the commission will also recommend increasing the number of wards in Union Parishads with large populations. Currently, each Union Parishad has nine fixed wards, as stipulated by the Local Government (Union Parishad) Act 2009. A Union Parishad consists of 13 members: one chairman, nine general ward members, and three women members from reserved seats.

In another move, the commission plans to propose holding local government elections in a non-partisan manner, removing the use of political party symbols in mayoral and chairman races. This change aims to attract credible candidates and reduce political polarisation in local governance. Since 2015, political party symbols have been used in local body elections following amendments to relevant laws.

Dr Ahmed highlighted that opinions from various stakeholders strongly support the removal of party symbols. “Almost a consensus has been reached over this matter,” he noted. The commission also plans to recommend higher salaries for chairmen and mayors, given their full-time responsibilities.

Challenges Facing Local Government

Despite its crucial role in addressing grassroots problems and fostering community development, Bangladesh’s local government system faces numerous challenges, including limited resources, bureaucratic hurdles, corruption, and a lack of accountability and capacity. Financial dependence on the central government remains a significant issue, with insufficient funding and human resources impeding the effective delivery of services. Allegations of corruption and political interference further exacerbate these problems.

A Historical Perspective

Local governance in Bangladesh has its roots in the British colonial period (1757-1947). The enactment of the Bengal Local Self-Government Act of 1885 laid the groundwork for decentralised administration. After independence in 1971, the Union Parishad became the primary rural administrative unit, with direct elections introduced in 1973.

The Upazila Parishad system evolved from the 1982 recommendations of the Committee for Administrative Reform and Reorganisation (CARR) and was reintroduced in 1998 after being abolished in 1991. City Corporations like Dhaka and Chittagong were elevated to their status in 1990, followed by the establishment of others.

The Zila Parishad, one of the oldest local government institutions, dates back to the colonial era. Despite being restructured in 1988, its effectiveness was limited until the first elections were held in 2016, marking a significant milestone in participatory democracy.

The government formed the five-member Local Government Reform Commission, headed by Prof. Tofail Ahmed, through a gazette notification on November 18. The commission’s recommendations aim to strengthen the local government structure and empower grassroots institutions.