Govt Urges EC to Complete Five Local Elections by June 2027
The government has urged the Election Commission (EC) to complete five local government elections by June next year, reiterating its commitment to holding the polls within the current fiscal year.
“Around Tk 6,000 crore has been allocated for the local government elections. . . If the polls cannot be completed within the current fiscal year, the funds will remain unspent and be carried over to the next fiscal year,” State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development (LGRD) and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam said today.
He was speaking to journalists after a preparatory meeting on the Village Police Grand Rally, slated for November 7, at the ministry’s conference room at the Bangladesh Secretariat.
Replying to questions, the state minister said the government had requested the EC to explore the possibility of holding the elections in phases, if necessary, to complete all the polls by June.
However, the EC would make the final assessment of whether all the elections could be held within the proposed timeframe, he added.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to free, fair and impartial local government elections, Shahe Alam said neither the government nor the administration would interfere in the electoral process.
He said necessary instructions had been issued to ensure a level playing field for all candidates and credible elections.
“The government does not want to bear any stigma regarding local government elections,” he said, adding that the government would extend full cooperation to the EC to ensure that the polls were held in a festive atmosphere in a free, fair and impartial manner.
Meanwhile, the state minister said dengue prevention activities would continue every Saturday until December 12.
The activities would include cleanliness drives, distribution of awareness leaflets and public announcements, with the participation of Scouts, Rover Scouts, Girl Guides and volunteers.
Regarding the Village Police Force (Gram Police Bahini), he said proposals had been sought to enhance its legal authority, salaries and other benefits.
The government would consider the force members’ demands and expectations before taking steps to implement the proposals, he added.
Shahe Alam said the Village Police Grand Rally would be held at 11:30 am on November 7 at the former trade fair grounds beside the China Friendship Conference Centre. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is scheduled to attend the event as the chief guest.
Around 50,000 members of the Village Police Force from across the country are expected to attend the rally.
