Vacuum in local government: Where is the end of public distress?

With the passage of time, many things change. This is not necessarily a bad thing, nor it is abnormal. However, the changes that have occurred in local government after the political shift on August 5 have not brought anything good. The mayors and councilors of all the city corporations, 61 district councils (excluding the three hill districts), upazila councils, and municipal corporations have been dismissed with a stroke of the pen. As a result, these institutions are now operating without elected representatives. Although the government has appointed administrators, minimal services are being provided. The administrators are only performing "routine work." While the union council chairmen and members have not been dismissed, the majority of them are in hiding because they were leaders and activists of the ruling Awami League, which was overthrown during the people's uprising. As a result, essential services such as birth and death certificates, heir certificates, and citizenship certificates are not being provided. Day after day, citizens are forced to go around in search of these services, and their voices are filled with frustration and disappointment. In many places, regular cleaning of waste and garbage is not being done. Roads have deteriorated, and there are no efforts to repair them.

Why were the elected representatives removed?
There is no hesitation in stating that during the Awami League's continuous 15-and-a-half years of rule, everything became excessively politicized. There were significant questions regarding the quality of the elections. There were accusations of irregularities, corruption, and ballot-stuffing. The majority of those who were elected in these elections were Awami League members, though some from other parties were also elected. Following the people’s uprising on August 5, the Awami League government under Sheikh Hasina's leadership fell. Most of the elected representatives from the Awami League went into hiding. On August 8, an interim government led by Dr. Muhammad Yunus was sworn in. On August 19, all city mayors were dismissed, and administrators were appointed by the Ministry of Local Government. On September 26, all city corporation and 323 municipal councilors were dismissed. Interestingly, the Ministry of Local Government did not provide any specific reasons for dismissing such a large number of elected representatives, merely citing the government’s authority.

Why were the elected representatives removed?
There is no hesitation in stating that during the Awami League's continuous 15-and-a-half years of rule, everything became excessively politicized. There were significant questions regarding the quality of the elections. There were accusations of irregularities, corruption, and ballot-stuffing. The majority of those who were elected in these elections were Awami League members, though some from other parties were also elected. Following the people’s uprising on August 5, the Awami League government under Sheikh Hasina's leadership fell. Most of the elected representatives from the Awami League went into hiding. On August 8, an interim government led by Dr. Muhammad Yunus was sworn in. On August 19, all city mayors were dismissed, and administrators were appointed by the Ministry of Local Government. On September 26, all city corporation and 323 municipal councilors were dismissed. Interestingly, the Ministry of Local Government did not provide any specific reasons for dismissing such a large number of elected representatives, merely citing the government’s authority.

Earlier, the Advisory Council approved the drafts of the Local Government (City Corporation) (Amendment) Ordinance, 2024, Local Government (Municipalities) (Amendment) Ordinance, 2024, District Council (Amendment) Ordinance, 2024, and Upazila Council (Amendment) Ordinance, 2024. These were later issued as ordinances. The Upazila Council (Amendment) Ordinance, 2024 introduced two new provisions. Among them, section 13(gha) grants the government the power to remove the chairman, vice-chairman, female vice-chairman, or other members in special circumstances. Similarly, section 13(ng) grants the government the authority to appoint an administrator in special circumstances.

The ordinance on the government’s power to remove the chairman, vice-chairman, and other members in special circumstances (section 13(gha)) states: “Notwithstanding anything in any other provisions of this law or any other laws in force at present, the government, in special circumstances, may remove the chairman, vice-chairman, female vice-chairman, or other members of all district councils if the government considers it necessary or in the public interest.” In the same way, the government has issued separate ordinances amending the laws for municipalities, upazilas, districts, and city corporations, granting the government the power to remove local government representatives and appoint administrators in special situations.

After the ordinance was issued, 493 upazila chairmen were removed. Additionally, due to the death of GM Mohsin Reza, the chairman of the Koyra Upazila in Khulna, his position was declared vacant. In all upazilas with vacant chairman positions, the respective Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) was appointed as the administrator. Later, the vice-chairmen (both male and female) of these upazilas were removed. A similar approach was taken for the district councils and municipalities. After the last elections, a total of 988 vice-chairmen and female vice-chairmen were in position across the 494 upazilas. In the absence of chairmen in various union councils, panel chairmen were appointed to take over their responsibilities through an official notification.

In the Dhaka South City Corporation, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government, Moh. Sher Ali was appointed as the new administrator, while in the Dhaka North City Corporation, the Director-General of the Ministry of Local Government, Mahmudul Hasan, has been appointed. Commissioners of the Khulna, Rajshahi, Sylhet, Barisal, Rangpur, and Mymensingh Divisions have also been assigned responsibilities as administrators. Moreover, the Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government, AHM Kamruzzaman, has been appointed as the administrator of Narayanganj City Corporation; the Director-General of the Bangladesh Rural Development Academy (Additional Secretary) has been appointed to Comilla City Corporation, and the Dhaka Division Commissioner has been assigned as the administrator of Gazipur City Corporation. Deputy Commissioners (DCs) have been assigned the responsibility for district councils. Local Government Department officials such as Deputy Directors, Additional Deputy Commissioners, Additional District Magistrates, Senior Assistant Commissioners, and Assistant Commissioners (Land) have been appointed as municipal administrators. These officials will receive allowances for their roles.

Is it possible to run affairs with administrators?
The question of whether it is possible to run local government affairs with administrators has emerged. According to urban planner and local government expert Professor Md Akter Mahmud, "Elected representatives are essential, no matter what. They are needed. Due to special circumstances, there are no elected representatives right now. However, this situation should not last too long, as it will disrupt citizen services. Necessary reforms should be made quickly and elections should be organized." An example of why it is not possible to run affairs with administrators can be found in the manpower structure. In the two city corporations of the capital (North and South), each has a committee of 25 members, totaling 50. These representatives are supposed to serve as councilors. Similarly, committees are planned to be formed in other city corporations and municipalities, with varying numbers of members. Local government experts argue that elected representatives are well-integrated with the local citizens and understand the problems of their areas. They often stand by people even in the late hours. Government officials will not be able to provide such service. In the two city corporations of the capital, there were 172 councilors, including both general and reserved seats. In contrast, 50 members in the committees will not be able to handle the same level of work.

Services are not being provided
The issue of not receiving services is frequently highlighted in media reports. A few days ago, when visiting the Ward No. 43 Office of the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC), it was observed that an office assistant was sitting in an empty office. Shahin Sultana, who had come to obtain an heir certificate, said, "I came here at 9 am, but no one is available. I am just sitting with my papers." People were also returning without service from the office of the office Ward No. 20 councilor on the third floor of the Segunbagicha Kitchen Market. At around 11:30 am, a middle-aged man named Chan Sheikh was seen at the market’s ground floor. He had come for a certificate, but could not enter the councilor's office as the collapsible gate at the staircase on the ground floor was locked. This door has been locked since August 5. The same situation exists in the wards of Dhaka North City Corporation. DSCC’s Chief Executive Officer Mizanur Rahman commented, "In the changed circumstances, work is being done under the ministry's directive to continue civic services. There will be no special inconvenience in the absence of councilors." (Source: Samakal).

The administrators who have been appointed have a lot of work and responsibilities to handle, and they are struggling with these duties. Yet, even more responsibilities have been imposed on them. It’s like someone who can carry a load of 50 kg being given 100 kg to carry. Whether they can carry this burden or collapse under it is entirely up to them.

The roads of the capital have been damaged and are in disrepair, yet no efforts are being made to repair them. In such circumstances, councilors would previously visit nagar bhaban to advocate for road repairs in their respective areas. They would also oversee activities related to dengue control, such as public announcements, leaflet distribution, and mosquito control. Due to frequent rains, the dengue situation has reached an alarming level. Every day, people are being affected by dengue, and there are fatalities. Former DSCC councilor Suraiya Begum expressed strong discontent, saying, "Every day, residents come to my house for various needs. Some need certificates, others need citizenship certificates. But I no longer have the authority to issue them." Several councilors from the BNP (Bangladesh National Party) have expressed similar grievances. They are asking why the councilors elected from BNP and the Jatiya Party were expelled, and what their crime was.

There is mayor in Chattogram, but no councilors
The Election Tribunal declared Dr. Shahadat Hossain on October 1 as the mayor of Chattogram City Corporation. He took the oath of office on November 3. In the 2021 Chattogram City Corporation election, Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, the candidate of the Awami League, won the mayoral election with 369,248 votes, while Dr. Shahadat Hossain, the BNP candidate, received 52,489 votes. Dr. Shahadat filed a case in the Election Tribunal in the same month, alleging electoral fraud and seeking to annul the result. After the change in government, on October 1 of this year, the Election Tribunal judge, Joint District and Sessions Judge Mohammad Khairul Amin, declared Shahadat the winner. However, like other city corporations in the country, Chattogram is also operating without councilors. The 13 officials of the corporation are currently performing the routine duties of the councilors.

Is there any way out to resolve the issue?
The question arises: is there a way out to address this situation or to revitalize local government? The answer is yes. There is a way to solve this. In this case, honest, dedicated, and respected former elected representatives can be temporarily appointed as mayors or chairpersons. Alternatively, other well-respected local figures could also be appointed to these positions, as was done with the appointment of interim government advisers. This would help resolve the issue and ensure that citizens receive services. It would also relieve government officials from the heavy burden of responsibilities. Additionally, elections must be organized as soon as possible. It is essential to remember that the work of elected representatives cannot be replaced by bureaucrats—these are two entirely different roles.

Sirajul Islam: News Editor, Daily Vorer Akash.