TDS Desk:

In the wake of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fleeing the country following the student-led mass protests on 5 August, local government operations across Bangladesh have come to a standstill as most Awami League-backed public representatives have gone into hiding.

The absconding officials, including mayors and chairmen from city corporations, municipalities, districts, and upazila parishads, have left a significant void in the delivery of services to citizens.

To address the crisis, the interim government plans to appoint administrators to replace the absent representatives and restore local administration functions.

According to government sources, the move involves a series of amendments to existing local government laws. These amendments will allow the removal of elected officials in city corporations, municipalities, and district councils under “special circumstances,” and enable the appointment of administrators to take over their duties.

The legal framework for this change was established on 17 August, when President Mohammed Shahabuddin issued four ordinances:

Local Government (City Corporation) (Amendment) Ordinance, 2024

Local Government (Municipality) (Amendment) Ordinance, 2024

Zila Parishad (Amendment) Ordinance, 2024

Upazila Parishad (Amendment) Ordinance, 2024

These ordinances, aimed at preventing administrative paralysis, were approved by the Advisory Council.

The ordinances were drafted to ensure uninterrupted service delivery and effective governance, especially given the current political climate, according to the Ministry of Local Government sources. Without such measures, essential services and operations would remain in a deadlock.

The amendment to the ‘Local Government (City Corporation) Act, 2024’ includes two new sections: section 13(ka) and section 25(ka). While section 13(ka) allows the government to remove mayors and councillors in special circumstances for public interest, section 25(ka) permits the government to appoint an administrator to manage the city’s affairs, specifying a term or until further orders, and to appoint a committee to assist the administrator.

Similar provisions have been made in the ‘Local Government (Municipality) (Amendment) Ordinance, 2024’, with new sections 32(ka) and 42(ka), allowing the removal of mayors or councillors and the appointment of administrators in municipalities under special circumstances.

The ‘Zila Parishad (Amendment) Ordinance, 2024’ introduces sections 10(ka) and 82(ka), which permit the removal of chairmen and members and the appointment of administrators in special circumstances.

The ‘Upazila Parishad (Amendment) Ordinance, 2024’ includes sections 13(gha) and 13(ng), allowing the government to remove chairmen, vice-chairmen, or other members and to appoint administrators under special circumstances.