‘Local polls to reflect people’s will’

The BNP-led government will hold elections at every tier of local government in strict accordance with the Constitution, Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan said on Sunday, pledging that the polls would be conducted in a manner that reflects the will of the people.

“This incumbent democratic government will not hold elections like those held during the previous government,” the minister said while exchanging views with heads of organisations and departments under his ministry and media representatives at the Bangladesh Secretariat.

State Minister Mir Shahe Alam and Local Government Division Secretary Md Shahidul Hassan were present at the programme.

Dr Moyeen Khan said the people’s mandate had not been properly reflected in the four national elections held between 2008 and 2024. He said the 2026 election had marked a significant change, bringing to power a government that, in his words, genuinely represents the people.

“BNP formed the government with the mandate of the people,” he said. The minister said the government would organise local government elections at every level in accordance with constitutional provisions, government policies and the aspirations of the people.

“Only true representatives of the people will be elected in these elections,” he said.
Local government elections to reflect people’s mandate
Dr Moyeen Khan stressed that the government would give priority to restoring public confidence in the democratic process through credible elections.

“One year is a long time,” he said, suggesting that the government has sufficient time to prepare the institutional framework necessary for holding local government elections properly.

His comments come as the BNP government seeks to establish a clear distinction between its electoral approach and that of the previous administration.

The minister said the government would follow constitutional procedures rather than resorting to the practices that, according to him, undermined public participation in previous elections.

‘If local government works properly, the country will be governed properly’
Highlighting the importance of his ministry, Dr Moyeen Khan described the Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Ministry as an exceptional institution because of its direct engagement with people at the grassroots.

“This ministry works directly with people at the grassroots level,” he said.
“If the local government ministry works properly, the entire country will be governed properly,” he added.
He said the success of the ministry would have a direct impact on the success of the government as a whole.

The minister also stressed the need to ensure that public services reach ordinary citizens, particularly those from disadvantaged communities.

Poor to receive priority in public services
Dr Moyeen Khan said the government would serve all sections of society but would give particular attention to poor and vulnerable people.

“People of the country are our priority,” he said.
He alleged that over the past 17 years, the rights of poor people had been undermined while government services disproportionately benefited the wealthy.

Referring to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s initiatives, he said the government had introduced the Family Card and Farmer Card as part of efforts to support disadvantaged citizens.

He said the government would continue working to address the needs of people who had been left behind.

‘No room for corruption’
The minister also issued a strong warning against corruption and irregularities in government institutions.

He said the present government would not tolerate corruption and that anyone found involved in corrupt practices would face action through the Anti-Corruption Commission in accordance with due legal procedures.

“Not only the local government ministry but also officials responsible for irregularities and corruption at all levels of government must be held accountable,” he said.
‘BNP does not believe in revenge politics’

Dr Moyeen Khan also sought to draw a distinction between the BNP government’s approach and what he described as political persecution under previous administrations.

He said the BNP did not believe in “revenge politics” and instead believed in the rule of law.
“The government is genuinely moving forward to restore the democratic system,” he said.

Addressing criticism that the BNP is a “cantonment-based party,” the veteran BNP leader defended the party’s historical role in Bangladesh’s democratic development.

He argued that the Awami League had damaged the country’s democratic institutions, while Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman had played a role in restoring democracy.

Judiciary must remain independent
The minister also criticised what he described as political interference in the judiciary during the previous government.

He alleged that decisions in some cases were influenced by government ministries rather than being independently determined by judges.

“Judgments were not written by judges; they were written at ministries,” he said.
Dr Moyeen Khan nevertheless stressed that the BNP government did not support “witch hunting” and would instead rely on due process and the rule of law.

His comments suggest that the government intends to pursue accountability for alleged wrongdoing while seeking to avoid political retaliation against opponents.

‘Prime Minister working round the clock’
Dr Moyeen Khan said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman was working continuously to restore a democratic system in Bangladesh.

“Our Prime Minister is working round the clock to bring back a truly democratic system in this country. We are walking on that path,” he said.