Parliament passes five local government bills allowing administrator appointments

Parliament has passed five amendment bills for local government bodies, retaining provisions that allow the removal of elected representatives and the appointment of administrators under “special circumstances” or in the public interest.

The move, carried over from ordinances issued during the interim government, drew sharp objections from the Opposition, which questioned its constitutionality on Thursday.

The government, however, said the provisions are necessary to keep services running and pave the way for elections.

The bills passed include amendments to the union, Upazila, and district councils, alongside municipality, and city corporation laws.

All were tabled, taken up for immediate consideration, and passed by voice vote.

State Minister Mir Shahe Alam, presenting the bills in the absence of the minister, said the situation after Aug 5, 2024 left many elected representatives absent, in hiding, or fleeing, disrupting local governance.

“The interim government created the scope to appoint administrators. These amendments simply turn those provisions into law,” he said, adding that elections would follow.

The amendments empower the government to remove elected officials and appoint administrators, while also scrapping party-based local elections -- a provision not opposed by the Opposition.

Opposition lawmakers, however, warned of potential misuse.

MP Gazi Enamul Haque argued the district council bill conflicts with constitutional provisions ensuring governance through elected representatives.

He cited past court rulings opposing the replacement of elected bodies with officials.

MP Najibur Rahman said the lack of clear criteria for “special circumstances” could enable arbitrary application, while NCP’s Hannan Masud called the law a “stab in the back” of local governance.

Rashedul Islam warned such provisions could be used to suppress the Opposition and undermine democracy.

In response, the state minister insisted the intent was not to permanently install administrators but to maintain continuity until elections.

Following passage of the district council and municipality bills, Leader of the Opposition Shafiqur Rahman staged a walkout, calling the legislation “anti-people”, though he later returned, calling it a democratic right.