Refrain from partisan acts

The appointment of BNP leaders as administrators in six city corporations within a week of the Tarique Rahman government taking office sends an uneasy signal. The government’s reported justification—that political appointees will help expedite civic services—appears somewhat forced, especially in light of LGRD Minister and BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir’s recent statement.

Soon after his appointment on February 18, the LGRD minister said local government elections would be held as soon as possible. If that is the case, there is little reason as to why the interim government-appointed administrators could not have continued with their duties. While it is true that local government services have suffered tremendously during the 18 months of interim administration, the circumstances surrounding these new appointments must be considered.

After the fall of the Awami League government—long criticised for partisan appointments and other questionable practices—on August 5, 2024, the interim government removed the mayors of city corporations, district councils, upazila parishads and municipalities, replacing them with government officials. This move was reportedly necessary as most elected representatives had either fled or been arrested. Many officials were required to carry out administrative duties in addition to their existing responsibilities, and therefore often remained less accessible to local communities. These factors, combined with the fact that government officials are not directly answerable to constituents, created gaps in the delivery of civic services at the local levels. As a result, citizens are now eagerly awaiting the return of elected representatives to the local government bodies.

The Election Commission is reportedly waiting for a parliamentary decision on the ordinance issued by the interim government that abolished the use of party symbols in local body elections. Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud, on February 2, said once the decision is made, the two city corporation elections can be held. The 13th parliament is set to convene on March 12. Then there are the reserve seat election, the by-election of Bogura-6 constituency and the poll for Sherpur-3, all of which the EC hopes to complete before April 14. In other words, the EC should be able to hold the city government elections within three to four months. Then why rush to make such political appointments? The BNP government’s decision to appoint party leaders to the city administrators’ positions shows that it could not rise above party interest. We urge the government to refrain from such partisan acts and make more inclusive democratic decisions.