A recent survey by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) reveals that 65 per cent of citizens favour holding local government elections before the 13th national parliamentary elections.
However, political parties and authorities hold divergent views on this matter. While the major political parties, including the BNP, prioritise national elections, the Election Commission (EC) echoes this sentiment. The head of the Local Government Reform Commission has refrained from making any statements.
Governance challenges in local bodies
Since the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, city corporations, municipalities, and union parishads have faced stagnation. Many elected representatives fled or were arrested, and interim administrators, primarily government officials, were appointed to manage local governance.
These administrators have struggled to meet the public's needs, particularly for essential documents like birth and death certificates, citizenship documentation, and inheritance certificates. The lack of familiarity between administrators and locals has led to delays and inefficiencies, causing significant public frustration.
For example, Sirajul Islam Master from Gangni Municipality reported it took four days to obtain an inheritance certificate, a task previously completed within a day by elected councillors. Similarly, Amirul Islam, another resident, mentioned that acquiring a birth certificate now takes over 10 days instead of a few hours.
BBS survey findings
The BBS survey, conducted between December 20 and 22, involved 46,080 respondents aged 18 and above. The survey aimed to assess public opinion on election system reforms. Its findings underscore the pressing need for local elections, with the majority supporting their prioritization over national elections.
Diverging perspectives
Election Commission's concerns
Election Commissioner Brigadier General (Retd) Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah stated that the EC's focus remains on preparing for the national elections. He highlighted logistical and regulatory challenges, including the need to amend laws based on the Reform Commission's recommendations. Weather conditions, particularly the risk of rain and storms, also influence the EC's stance.
Sanaullah acknowledged that holding local elections is feasible if the government requests it but noted that no such request has been received yet.
Political parties' stance
The BNP has strongly opposed holding local elections first. According to BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, the public's priority is the national elections, and local elections should follow necessary reforms.
The Gana Odhikar Parishad (GOP), on the other hand, advocates for a consensus among all political parties. GOP General Secretary Md Rashed Khan emphasized the importance of unity and solidarity, urging the interim government to consider collective decisions for local or national elections.
Challenges to early local elections
The Local Government Reform Commission's head, Professor Dr Tofail Ahmed, declined to comment on the feasibility of local elections before national ones. However, other members of the commission have pointed out that addressing these challenges would require clear directives from the EC and government collaboration.
While the BBS survey indicates public demand for local government elections, practical obstacles, political disagreements, and administrative constraints remain significant barriers. Until these are resolved, the timeline for local elections remains uncertain.