The National Citizen Party (NCP) has alleged that the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is deliberately postponing local government elections in a bid to consolidate political control at the grassroots level.
Speaking at a press conference at the party’s temporary central office in Banglamotor of the capital on Tuesday, NCP’s Northern Region Chief Organiser Sarjis Alam claimed that recent remarks from BNP leaders and the Prime Minister’s information adviser indicate that local polls may not be held this year and could instead be pushed back to December 2027.
He argued that such a delay would allow the government to centralise authority, especially at a time when no elected chairmen are serving at the upazila level.
Sarjis also raised concerns over speculation surrounding the possible abolition of district councils, warning that curbing local representation would ultimately prove counterproductive.
The NCP leader further criticised the appointment of what he described as “defeated and unqualified” political figures as administrators in district councils and city corporations.
According to him, these appointments risk turning key local government institutions into centres of corruption, including looting and extortion.
Questioning what he termed a shift in the government’s position, Sarjis said the ruling party had previously stressed the urgency of holding elections before coming to power. “Now that they are in office, do the people no longer deserve services?” he asked.
He urged the authorities to organise elections for city corporations, upazilas and municipalities within the current year, cautioning that failure to do so could trigger protests.
He added that any future street movement should not be misinterpreted as an attempt to destabilise the government.
Sarjis concluded by calling on the Election Commission and the Ministry of Local Government to complete all preparations and ensure that local elections are held by December this year.
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