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Local government

Bangladesh Abolishes Party Symbols in Local Government Elections

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain, Adviser to the Local Government and Rural Development (LGRD), announced that party symbols will no longer be used in local government elections. This decision was made at a press conference at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka, where the Council of Advisers approved amendments to four relevant laws. The amendments aim to reduce clashes surrounding local government polls and ensure candidates are elected based on their qualifications. The new electoral system will feature independent symbols, a recommendation made by the Electoral System Reform Commission and the Local Government Reform Commission.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Council of Advisers approved amendments to four laws, including the City Corporation Act 2015, Municipality Act 2015, Upazila Parishad Act 2015, and Union Parishad Act 2015.
  • The amendments abolish the use of party symbols in local government elections, which was initially introduced in 2015 during the fascist government.
  • The Electoral System Reform Commission and the Local Government Reform Commission recommended removing party symbols to reduce electoral clashes.
  • The new electoral system will feature independent symbols, which candidates will use in local government polls.
  • The Council of Advisers approved the proposal to abolish Section 32(A) of the City Corporation Act 2015, Section 20(A) of the Municipality Act 2015, Section 16(A) of the Upazila Parishad Act 2015, and Section 19(A) of the Union Parishad Act 2015.
  • Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus presided over the meeting of the Council of Advisers.
  • A new Pay Commission has been formed to determine the new salary structure of government officials and employees, with Former Finance Secretary Zakir Ahmed Khan as its head.
  • The investigation commission, led by a former judge, has been formed to probe the Gopalganj violence.
  • Law Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul emphasized that spreading rumors is a criminal offense and called upon the media to play a responsible role in preventing it.

Statistics:

  • 2015: The year when party symbols were initially introduced in local government elections during the fascist government.
  • 6 months: The timeframe given to the new Pay Commission to submit a report on the new salary structure of government officials and employees.
  • 10 years: The period since the last salary structure was fixed, after which the government feels that a new one is necessary to adjust to inflation.

Sources:

  • Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) - news release on the Council of Advisers' approval of amendments to laws related to local government elections.
  • [Source not mentioned in original text]
  • Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) - news release on the formation of a new Pay Commission to determine the new salary structure of government officials and employees.

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