Parliament to Decide on Local Government Election Format

Following the conclusion of the 13th National Parliamentary Election, the political discourse in Bangladesh has shifted sharply towards the framework of upcoming local government polls. The central question occupying the minds of analysts and the public alike is whether the elections for City Corporation Mayors will continue under party banners or revert to the traditional non-partisan format. According to the Election Commission (EC), the final verdict on this matter now rests entirely with the newly formed Parliament.

Legislative Sovereignty and the Party Symbol

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) currently holds a two-thirds majority in the House, granting the government significant leverage over legislative changes. Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud clarified on Sunday, 22 February 2026, that the procedural fate of mayoral candidates depends on the ratification of existing ordinances.

Under the previous interim administration, an ordinance was promulgated to remove the requirement for party-based nominations in local polls. However, for this to remain permanent law, the sovereign Parliament must ratify it.

“As far as I am aware, the provision for party nominations for mayoral posts was excluded via an ordinance,” Commissioner Masud explained to journalists. “Once Parliament convenes, if this ordinance is ratified, elections will proceed accordingly. Should the House decide to revert to the previous status quo, the situation will change. We are essentially awaiting the decisions made during the upcoming parliamentary session.”

Reserved Women’s Seats: The Next Milestone

Beyond the debate over local symbols, the Election Commission has officially initiated the process for electing members to the reserved seats for women. By law, these seats are allocated based on the proportional representation of parties within the Parliament.

The Commissioner noted that political parties have already begun their internal selection processes. According to constitutional mandates, the election for these reserved seats must be concluded within 90 days of the Members of Parliament taking their oaths. The EC has expressed its commitment to meeting this strict deadline to ensure the legislature is fully constituted.

Strategic Implications

The shift back to non-partisan local elections is viewed by some as a move to decentralise power and reduce grassroots political friction. Conversely, proponents of party-based polls argue it brings clarity to the voters’ choice. As the March parliamentary session approaches, all eyes remain on the Treasury Bench to see which direction the “Cradle of Democracy” will take.