After the 13th parliamentary election concluded, the Election Commission (EC) is now gearing up for upcoming elections in three major metropolitan local government bodies. The Local Government Division (LGD) has officially requested the EC to begin preparations for elections in Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC), and Chattogram City Corporation. The EC has already started preliminary arrangements, anticipating the elections to take place post Eid-ul-Fitr. Government officials have emphasized the importance of prioritizing local elections.
In the final week of January, the secretary of the Local Government Division dispatched two separate letters to the EC. These letters highlighted the expiration dates of the terms for DSCC, DNCC, and Chattogram City Corporation as per their respective first meetings. According to the Local Government (City Corporation) Act, elections should be conducted within 180 days before the end of a corporation’s term.
Following the overthrow of the Awami League government in August 2024, various local government institutions have been without elected officials. This absence includes representatives from 12 city corporations, all 330 municipalities, 61 zilla parishad chairmen, and a significant number of upazila parishad chairmen and vice-chairmen who had gone into hiding. A court ruling led to Shahadat Hossain taking office as mayor of Chattogram City Corporation.
The majority of local government bodies are currently vacant, with administrators overseeing their operations. This situation has caused significant hardships for the public, as they require services and assistance from elected representatives for various matters. Due to the absence of these officials, citizens face difficulties in accessing necessary services.
Local Government Secretary Rezaul Maksud Jahedi informed The Daily Star that the terms of 12 city corporations had expired by the end of January, urging the EC to expedite the election process. He outlined a plan to conduct elections for the two Dhaka city corporations and Chattogram first, followed by the remaining city corporations, district councils, upazila parishads, and municipalities in subsequent phases.
The EC, in response to the letters from the Local Government Division, is considering the necessary steps for the upcoming elections. While the City Corporation Act stipulates a timeframe for elections, exceptional circumstances may affect the schedule. Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud confirmed the receipt of the LGD’s letter regarding elections for the two Dhaka city corporations and Chattogram City Corporation.
Masud clarified that the EC can proceed with elections without formal notification from the LGD but indicated that specifics on the election preparations would be announced soon. He mentioned that the elections for the three city corporations are likely to take place post Eid.
The newly formed government under the BNP leadership has pledged to prioritize the swift organization of local government elections. Local Government Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir expressed the government’s commitment to promptly arranging these elections, with a decision expected imminently.