Sunday, 5th April 2026
Khabor Wala Desk
Published: 24th February 2026, 8:28 AM
The Minister of Local Government, Rural Development, and Cooperatives, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, has announced that all local government bodies will be activated through elections as swiftly as possible. In a statement to News24, he emphasized that city elections will be prioritised in areas where the current council terms are due to expire.
Speaking on Tuesday, Mirza Fakhrul outlined the government’s approach to upcoming local elections, including city corporations and other municipal bodies. “Wherever the term of office ends first, the elections will be held there initially,” he stated. According to him, this means that elections for Dhaka North, Dhaka South, and Chittagong City Corporations will take place first, followed by the remaining city corporations in a phased manner.
On the matter of party symbols in local polls, he clarified that a final decision will be made during the first parliamentary session on 12 March. “Whether local elections, including city corporation polls, will be conducted under party symbols will be determined in the upcoming session,” he added.
Regarding administrative efficiency, Mirza Fakhrul expressed confidence in political administrators, stating that they could perform effectively and even better than bureaucrats in managing election-related duties. This reflects the government’s push to streamline the electoral process and ensure timely activation of local governance structures.
| Phase | City/Area | Reason for Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | Dhaka North City Corporation | Term expiring first |
| Phase 1 | Dhaka South City Corporation | Term expiring first |
| Phase 1 | Chittagong City Corporation | Term expiring first |
| Phase 2 | Remaining city corporations | Subsequent elections in phases |
Mirza Fakhrul stressed the importance of holding elections in a timely manner to maintain democratic governance at the local level. The phased approach aims to prevent administrative vacuum and ensure that all municipalities remain functional without disruption.
With the first parliamentary session scheduled for 12 March, political observers will closely watch whether the government permits party-affiliated candidates to contest under official party symbols, a decision that could influence voter engagement and electoral outcomes significantly.
The minister’s statements mark a clear commitment to reviving local governance swiftly, beginning with major city corporations, and indicate the administration’s intention to maintain an orderly and transparent election schedule across the country.
Comments