Summary:
- Candidates for mayor and chairperson roles in Bangladesh must hold at least a bachelor’s degree under proposed reforms.
- Direct elections for these positions will be replaced by indirect voting through council or union members.
- Mayors and chairpersons will receive full-time executive responsibilities with salaries equivalent to high-ranking officials.
- A shadow council system will be introduced to ensure checks and balances, reducing MPs’ influence in local governance.
The Local Government Reform Commission in Bangladesh is poised to introduce significant changes to the election process and eligibility criteria for key local government positions, including mayors and chairpersons. These proposed reforms aim to enhance the quality of leadership and governance across the country.
Under the new recommendations, individuals aspiring to become mayors of city corporations or municipalities, as well as chairpersons of union, upazila, or district councils, must possess a minimum of a bachelor’s degree or an equivalent qualification. This marks a departure from the current system, where no formal educational qualifications are mandated for these roles. The commission believes this change will encourage educated and skilled individuals to participate in local governance while discouraging less-qualified candidates.
Additionally, the reforms propose eliminating direct elections for these positions. Instead, mayors and chairpersons would be elected indirectly by council members or union parishad members. For instance, union parishad members will elect a chairperson from among themselves, ensuring that only qualified candidates who meet the educational requirements can assume leadership roles.
Dr. Tofail Ahmed, the head of the reform commission and a local government expert, highlighted the rationale behind these changes. “The biggest complaint from citizens nationwide is that political influence, money power, and muscle often prevent educated individuals from becoming public representatives,” he stated. The commission aims to create an environment where competent and educated individuals can take on leadership roles without being overshadowed by unqualified candidates.
The proposed reforms also include structural changes to local governance. Mayors and chairpersons will take on full-time executive responsibilities with salaries equivalent to high-ranking government officials. For instance, union parishad chairpersons will receive compensation on par with first-class officers at the upazila level, while city corporation mayors will earn salaries higher than those of top administrative officials.
Furthermore, a “shadow council” system is being proposed for union parishads, municipalities, and city corporations. These councils will consist of opposition members elected from within the governing bodies to ensure checks and balances. They will oversee legislative functions such as development planning and policymaking, while mayors and chairpersons will focus on executive duties.
The commission also aims to reduce the influence of Members of Parliament (MPs) in local governance. MPs will no longer hold advisory roles in local government but may provide input during meetings without exerting direct control. This change seeks to empower local representatives to operate independently without undue political interference.
The final report on these recommendations is expected to be submitted by late February 2025 after further scrutiny and consultation with stakeholders. If implemented, these reforms could mark a transformative shift in Bangladesh’s local government system by fostering accountability, professionalism, and effective service delivery at the grassroots level.
Source: Ittefaq
