Local polls on single day proposed
Staff Reporter :
The Local Government Reform Commission is planning to recommend holding all local government elections on a single day to save time and reduce expenses, the Commission’s Chairman, Tofael Ahmed, announced on Sunday.
Speaking during a views-exchange meeting with civil society members in Chattogram, Tofael highlighted the significant costs and lengthy process
associated with local elections.
“Elections require considerable time and the extensive deployment of law enforcement personnel and government employees, resulting in substantial expenditures,” he said.
Tofael revealed that over the past four years of the Awami League administration, Tk 23,000 crore was spent on various local government elections, which spanned more than 200 days.
By conducting all elections-union parishad, upazila parishad, city corporation, municipality, and zila parishad-on a single day, costs could be reduced to Tk 600 crore, and the process completed in just 40 days, he suggested.
Tofael also outlined the commission’s consideration of a presidential council system for local government. Under this system, chairpersons would be elected by members and mayors by councillors, with roles rotating periodically.
Additionally, plans for a district-based local government system were discussed, positioning districts as centres for development. “Local governments will be responsible for development planning and project implementation at the district level,” he explained.
Attendees at the meeting called for educational qualifications for local government candidates and recommended reforms to minimise parliamentary interference in local decision-making.
The meeting, presided over by Chattogram Divisional Commissioner Mohammad Ziauddin, was attended by reform commission members including Professor Ferdows Afreena Osman, Abdur Rahman, Mahfuz Kabir, educationist Professor Sikandar Khan, Chattogram City Corporation Chief Executive Officer Sheikh Muhammad Towhidul Islam, and Chattogram Metropolitan Police Additional Commissioner Mohammad Asfikuzzaman Akter.
The proposed changes aim to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and streamline the election process while empowering local governments to drive district-level development.