Local Govt Reform: 84pc want unified local govt law
Staff Reporter :
A recent household survey conducted by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) has revealed that a significant 84 percent of people support the establishment of an independent and robust Local Government Commission through the enactment of a new law.
The survey, which was carried out in January 2025 at the request of the Local Government Reform Commission, covered 46,080 households across all 64 districts, both rural and urban.
The findings, disclosed in a report by the Local Government Reform Commission, were submitted to Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday. Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary, Abul Kalam Azad Majumder, confirmed the submission to the media.
The survey found that 71 percent of respondents opposed the use of political party symbols in local government elections, arguing that such a practice undermines the neutrality of local governance. In contrast, 24 percent supported the use of party symbols, highlighting a significant divide in public opinion on the issue.
An overwhelming 97 percent of respondents suggested that candidates running for local government elections should meet a minimum educational qualification.
Of these, 38 percent believed that a Secondary School Certificate (SSC) should be the minimum requirement, 30 percent favoured a Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC), and 25 percent advocated for a graduate-level qualification.
Currently, local government activities in Bangladesh are governed by five separate laws and over 100 notifications and government orders.
The survey revealed that 77 percent of respondents believe there should be a single, unified law to streamline governance and eliminate bureaucratic complexities.
The survey also highlighted the need for an integrated service structure to address the manpower shortage in local government institutions, with 75 percent of respondents supporting this measure.
Additionally, in response to Bangladesh’s growing urbanisation, 85 percent of those surveyed recommended the establishment of an urban planning office at the upazila level.
Furthermore, 80 percent of respondents suggested that full-fledged civil and magistrate courts should be established at the upazila level, reflecting a growing demand for accessible legal and judicial services at the grassroots level.