The question of whether local government elections, including city corporation polls, will be held under party symbols will ultimately be decided by the Jatiya Sangsad (JS), Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said on Tuesday.
Speaking to reporters after the formal joining ceremony of newly appointed administrators for six city corporations at the Bangladesh Secretariat, the minister emphasised that the government’s immediate focus is to make local government institutions fully functional through timely elections.
He said elections to the Dhaka North, Dhaka South and Chattogram city corporations would receive priority, as their terms have already expired.
Polls in other city corporations, municipalities and local bodies will be conducted in phases, he added.
On the appointment of political administrators in six city corporations, Mirza Fakhrul said the decision was taken to ensure more direct engagement with citizens and to address pressing civic issues more effectively.
According to him, political administrators, being closely connected with the public, are better positioned to respond swiftly to people’s concerns.
State Minister for Local Government Mir Shahe Alam echoed the view, saying the appointments were aimed at energising local bodies and improving service delivery.
The newly appointed administrators pledged to focus on urgent civic problems, including mosquito control, traffic congestion and road repairs.
They also announced plans to launch a 60-day “crush programme” to deliver visible improvements in a short time.
Senior officials, including Rural Development and Cooperatives Division Secretary Mohammad Showkat Rashid Chowdhury, were also present at the event.
.jpg "Bangladesh records 4 more measles-related deaths in past 24 hours")
