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Power game likely over upazila
With the end of the much talked about upazila elections across the country a bitter power game is seemingly set to begin between the MPs and upazila chairmen over executing power and influence to run local administration and implement plans for economic and social development. Such possibility is very much there as the new government is contemplating to provide the MPs with some sort of dominating role in the upazila parishads by amending the local Government Ordinance promulgated by the caretaker government before its ratification in Parliament. In the ordinance there is no provision for the MPs to play any role in upazila affairs and the Awami League manifesto also did not specify anything about it. But just on the eve of the upazila polls the Minister for Local Government and Rural Development Syed Ashraful Islam said that the MPs must have some role in local development as they have made commitments before elections to develop their respective areas. This is a clear indication that the MPs will be empowered to interfere in the functioning of the upazila parishads on the plea of overseeing the development activities and ensuring proper development works. And the upazila chairmen, also elected duly by the people are unlikely to accept such intervention voluntarily .
The constitution of the country stresses on the strengthening of the local government bodies. But it was due to the MPs reluctance to give up power and influence over huge development works that the upazila elections were not arranged during 'democratic rule' in over 18 years since March 1990 when the second and last upazila polls were held under an ' autocratic' ruler. The upazila system was introduced by Ershad regime in 1985 but it was abolished when BNP came to power in 1991. However, after its return to power in 1996 Awami league revived the upazila system which remained dysfunctional both during the rule of AL and BNP. The erstwhile caretaker government took a firm stand on holding the upazila polls and it proceeded with the plan despite many obstacles. The Election Commission also played a very bold and effective role in completing the upazila polls.
Now the elections are over, but fear remains there that the upazila system would not be able to function as envisaged in the Local Government Ordinance. It is now clear that the ordinance would be ratified by Parliament only after being tailored to meet the needs and satisfaction of the MPs. But the most unfortunate aspect of the issue is that the outcome of this process may fail to fulfill the needs and expectations of the people.
editorial
With the end of the much talked about upazila elections across the country a bitter power game is seemingly set to begin between the MPs and upazila chairmen over executing power and influence to run local administration and implement plans for economic and social development. Such possibility is very much there as the new government is contemplating to provide the MPs with some sort of dominating role in the upazila parishads by amending the local Government Ordinance promulgated by the caretaker government before its ratification in Parliament. In the ordinance there is no provision for the MPs to play any role in upazila affairs and the Awami League manifesto also did not specify anything about it. But just on the eve of the upazila polls the Minister for Local Government and Rural Development Syed Ashraful Islam said that the MPs must have some role in local development as they have made commitments before elections to develop their respective areas. This is a clear indication that the MPs will be empowered to interfere in the functioning of the upazila parishads on the plea of overseeing the development activities and ensuring proper development works. And the upazila chairmen, also elected duly by the people are unlikely to accept such intervention voluntarily .
The constitution of the country stresses on the strengthening of the local government bodies. But it was due to the MPs reluctance to give up power and influence over huge development works that the upazila elections were not arranged during 'democratic rule' in over 18 years since March 1990 when the second and last upazila polls were held under an ' autocratic' ruler. The upazila system was introduced by Ershad regime in 1985 but it was abolished when BNP came to power in 1991. However, after its return to power in 1996 Awami league revived the upazila system which remained dysfunctional both during the rule of AL and BNP. The erstwhile caretaker government took a firm stand on holding the upazila polls and it proceeded with the plan despite many obstacles. The Election Commission also played a very bold and effective role in completing the upazila polls.
Now the elections are over, but fear remains there that the upazila system would not be able to function as envisaged in the Local Government Ordinance. It is now clear that the ordinance would be ratified by Parliament only after being tailored to meet the needs and satisfaction of the MPs. But the most unfortunate aspect of the issue is that the outcome of this process may fail to fulfill the needs and expectations of the people.
editorial
