Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said that the parliament will decide whether local government elections, including city corporation polls, will be conducted with party symbols.
He made the remarks in response to journalists’ questions following the formal joining ceremony of the newly appointed administrators of six city corporations at the Bangladesh Secretariat on Tuesday morning.
Fakhrul emphasised that the government’s primary goal is to make all local government institutions fully operational by holding elections as soon as possible.
“Priority will be given to Dhaka north, Dhaka south, and Chattogram city corporations in holding elections,” he added.
The minister said elections in other city corporations, municipalities, and local government bodies will be held in phases.
Addressing a query on the appointment of administrators in the six city corporations, Fakhrul noted that political administrators can provide more effective services by being directly engaged with the public.
“Political figures have been entrusted with this responsibility because they can better address public suffering than government officials,” he said.
However, he clarified that elections will first take place in city corporations where their terms have expired.
Responding to questions at the event, State Minister for Local Government Mir Shahe Alam said the appointment of political administrators aims to make local government bodies more active and responsive.
Meanwhile, the newly appointed administrators of the six city corporations reiterated their commitment to prioritising urgent public concerns, including mosquito control, traffic management, and road repair.
They informed the minister that they would implement a 60-day special programme, referred to as a ‘crush programme’, to ensure rapid results.
Rural Development and Cooperatives Division Secretary Mohammad Showkat Rashid Chowdhury was also present at the ceremony.
The newly appointed administrators of six city corporations meet Local Government Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir at the Bangladesh Secretariat this morning. Photo: Ministry
