Rangpur: Head of the Local Government Reform Commission Professor Dr Tofail Ahmed has emphasized the need for qualified representatives to manage the state effectively. “A participatory, free, fair and impartial election can provide the state with qualified representatives. And there is no alternative to everyone’s cooperation in organizing such an election,” he stated.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Professor Ahmed, a local government expert, made these remarks during a view-exchange meeting on local government reforms held at the conference room of the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Rangpur. The event was organized by the Local Government Reforms Commission, Local Government Division, Rangpur district administration, and Democracy International.
Professor Ahmed drew attention to the fact that some countries operate smoothly without a constitution because individuals fulfill their duties responsibly from their respective positions. He stressed the importance of electing educated and qualified public representatives to ensure effective governance.
During the meeting, participants proposed various reforms for the local government system. These proposals included conducting local elections on the same day, holding elections without party symbols, allowing teachers and employees to participate in elections, and granting judicial powers to local public representatives for dispute resolution.
Additional suggestions focused on increasing public participation in the financial management of local governments, reducing the deposit amount required for candidates in local elections, and introducing a local government election system modeled after the central government.
The event was attended by Additional Secretary of the Local Government Division AKM Tariqul Alam, Rangpur Divisional Director Md Abu Jafar, Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Rabiul Faisal, and Superintendent of Police Abu Md Saim, who addressed the gathering as special guests. The meeting also included members of the Local Government Reform Commission, government officials, representatives of political parties, civil society members, student representatives, and journalists.