JS will decide whether local govt polls to be held with party symbols: Fakhrul

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today said the Jatiya Sangsad  (JS) will decide whether local government elections, including city corporation polls, will be held with ‘party symbols’. He made the remarks responding to a question from journalists after the formal joining ceremony of the newly-appointed administrators of six city corporations at the Bangladesh Secretariat here this morning.

Fakhrul said the main goal of the government is to make all local government institutions operational by holding elections as soon as possible. "Priority will be given to Dhaka north, Dhaka south and Chattogram city corporations in holding elections," he said. The minister said the government will arrange elections in the remaining city corporations, municipalities and other local government bodies in phases.

Replying to another query over appointment of administrators in six city corporations, Fakhrul said political administrators can ensure services by being directly involved with the people. The political figures have been given this responsibility since they can play a more effective role in easing public suffering than the government officials, he said. 

However, the local government minister said, elections will be held first in the city corporations where their terms expired. Responding to questions from reporters at the event, State Minister for Local Government Mir Shahe Alam said political administrators have been appointed to make local government bodies more active. Meanwhile, the newly appointed administrators of the six city corporations reiterated their commitment saying that they would give top priority to important works related to public suffering such as mosquito control, easing traffic congestion and road repair.

They informed the minister that they would start working on a 60-day special programme or ‘crush programme’ to ensure quick results. Rural Development and Cooperatives Division Secretary Mohammad Showkat Rashid Chowdhury was present, among others.