January 15, 2025
DHAKA – Local elections will no longer be held using party symbols, said Local Government Reform Commission Chief Professor Tofail Ahmed.
“Local government reforms will include proposals related to laws, structures, and service activities,” he said during a meeting on the topic at the Singair upazila parishad conference room in Manikganj today.
“We are engaging with stakeholders and gathering their suggestions. Based on these inputs, we will implement positive changes across all areas of the local government system,” he added.
The meeting, chaired by Deputy Commissioner Manowar Hossain Molla, also featured speeches from Additional Superintendent of Police Mohammad Wares, Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Kamrul Hasan Sohag, and members of the Election Commission.
The speakers criticised the previous government for politicising local elections, highlighting issues such as the allocation of party symbols and voter manipulation.
They emphasised the need to eliminate these issues and conduct fair elections.
A total of 103 representatives from various sectors, including former local public representatives and political party members, participated in the views exchange programme organised by the Local Government Reform Commission.