Local govt elections to be held as per constitution: Moyeen Khan

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan said on Sunday that the BNP-led government would hold elections at all tiers of local government in accordance with the Constitution, pledging that the process would reflect the people's mandate.

“This incumbent democratic government will not hold elections like those held during the previous government,” Moyeen Khan said during an exchange of views with heads of organisations and departments under his ministry and journalists at the Bangladesh Secretariat.

State Minister Mir Shahe Alam and Local Government Division Secretary Md Shahidul Hassan were present.

Moyeen Khan said the people’s mandate had not been properly reflected in the four national elections held between 2008 and 2024. He said the 2026 election had changed that.

“BNP formed the government with the mandate of the people,” he said.

The minister said local government elections at every level would be held in accordance with constitutional provisions, government policy and the aspirations of voters.

“Only true representatives of the people will be elected in these elections,” he said, adding that restoring public confidence in the electoral process would be a priority.

“One year is a long time,” he said, referring to the period available to prepare for the polls.

Moyeen Khan said effective local government was crucial to the functioning of the state because the ministry dealt directly with people at the grassroots.

“If the local government ministry works properly, the entire country will be governed properly,” he said.

He said the government would serve all sections of society while giving particular attention to poor and vulnerable people.

“People of the country are our priority,” he said.

Moyeen Khan alleged that during the previous 17 years, poorer citizens had been deprived of their rights while government services disproportionately benefited wealthier sections of society.

He cited Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s Family Card and Farmer Card initiatives as measures aimed at supporting disadvantaged citizens.

The minister also warned that corruption and irregularities would not be tolerated.

He said officials found involved in corruption would face action through the Anti-Corruption Commission under due legal process.

“Not only the local government ministry but also officials responsible for irregularities and corruption at all levels of government must be held accountable,” he said.

Moyeen Khan said the BNP did not believe in “revenge politics” and that any accountability measures would be pursued through the rule of law.

He also criticised what he described as political interference in the judiciary under the previous government, alleging that decisions in some cases had been dictated by ministries.

“Judgments were not written by judges; they were written at ministries,” he said.

The government, however, would not engage in “witch hunting,” he added.

Moyeen Khan said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman was working to strengthen the country's democratic institutions.

“Our Prime Minister is working round the clock to bring back a truly democratic system in this country. We are walking on that path,” he said.

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