New local govt bills allow indefinite administrators under special circumstances

Parliament today passed four amendment bills enabling the appointment of administrators for an indefinite period in municipalities, upazila parishads, district councils, and city corporations under “special circumstances.”

The provisions were approved by voice vote despite strong objections from opposition members.

The bills also removed the provision for holding local government elections under party symbols, a change that the opposition did not object to.

Originally, during the interim government, ordinances were issued adding the clause that in “special circumstances” an “appropriate person” could be appointed as administrator indefinitely. Later, the provision for elections under party symbols was also removed from the relevant laws.

To approve those ordinances, parliament passed the Local Government (District Council) (Amendment) Bill, the Local Government (Municipality) (Amendment) Bill, the Local Government (City Corporation) (Amendment) Bill, the Local Government (Upazila Parishad) (Amendment) Bill, and the Local Government (Union Parishad) (Amendment) Bill.

NCP MP Hannan Masud called the city corporation amendment bill a “black law,” questioning the term “special circumstances.”

"Does it mean that if party agenda cannot be implemented or illegal benefits are not given, then removal will follow? There is no explanation. This is a stab at democracy. Does ‘appropriate person’ mean a party leader, a hired thug, or simply the children of ministers and MPs?” he questioned.

Objecting to the district council amendment bill, Jamaat‑e‑Islami MP Gazi Enamul Haque argued that this violated three constitutional articles, citing court rulings that administrators cannot replace elected representatives.

State Minister for Local Government Mir Shahe Alam explained that current “special circumstances” refer to the inability to hold elections until the new law is enacted.

He said administrators were appointed because the party symbol provision has been removed.