Staff Reporter:
Prime Minister’s Policy and Strategy Adviser Dr Zahed Ur Rahman yesterday said LGRD and coopera-tives ministry has set a target to hold all local government polls within maximum one year.
Local government elections across the country may begin in phases immediately after the current mon-soon season, with the first phase of UP polls from September or October this year, he said.
He made the remarks at a weekly press briefing at Press Information Department (PID), where updates on the activities and progress of various ministries were presented.
“The government also plans to subsequently complete elections for municipalities, upazilas, district councils, and city corporations,” said Zahed, also PM’s Adviser for the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
About participation in local polls, he said even if someone was previously affiliated with a particular political party but they have no involvement in any crimes or the July–August killings and have no cases filed against them, they may participate in local government elections as an individual and independent candidate.
However, no party banner, symbol, or slogan may be used, he said, adding anyone found guilty of crimes must face justice.
Presenting progress of the government, he said as part of a policy decision to bring all 64 districts under the railway network, the government has decided to establish new railway lines in 10 districts: Sherpur, Meherpur, Magura, Satkhira, Barishal, Barguna, Patuakhali, Jhalokathi, Pirojpur, and Lakshmipur.
He also mentioned that GPS installation in all public transport vehicles will become mandatory from August 1.
As of June 21, government warehouses held a record 21 lakh 21 thousand 598 metric tons of food grains, a surplus of nearly 700,000 tons against the annual demand.
