Staff Reporter:
Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir yester-day said the Jatiya Sangsad (JS) will decide whether local government elections, including city corpora-tion polls, will be held with party symbols or not.
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 yesterday.
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 elec-tions,” he said.
The minister said the government will arrange elections in the remaining city corporations, municipali-ties and other local government bodies in phases.
Replying to another query over appointment of administrators in six city corporations, Fakhrul said po-litical 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 eas-ing 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 program or ‘crush pro-gram’ to ensure quick results.
Rural Development and Cooperatives Division Secretary Mohammad Showkat Rashid Chowdhury was present, among others.
