STAFF CORRESPONDENT

Parliament yesterday passed four separate bills allowing the appointment of administrators for an indefinite period in municipalities, upazila parishads, district councils, and city corporations under “special circumstances”.

Despite objections from the opposition, the provisions were approved by voice vote.

The provision for holding elections in local government bodies under party symbols has also been removed. The opposition, however, did not object to this change.

Originally, during the interim government, ordinances were issued introducing a clause that allowed the appointment of an “appropriate person” as administrator indefinitely under “special circumstances”. Later, the provision for elections under party symbols was removed from the relevant laws.

To approve those ordinances, parliament passed the Local Government (District Council) (Amendment) Bill, the Local Government (Municipality) (Amendment) Bill, the Local Government (City Corporation) (Amendment) Bill, the Local Government (Upazila Parishad) (Amendment) Bill, and the Local Government (Union Parishad) (Amendment) Bill.

Opposition members objected to the provision allowing the appointment of administrators under special circumstances.

Objecting to the City Corporation (Amendment) Bill, NCP MP Hannan Masud said it would remain a “black law”.

Referring to the interim government’s ordinance, he said, “What does ‘special circumstances’ mean? Does it mean that if party agendas cannot be implemented or illegal benefits are not given, then removal will follow? There is no explanation. This is a stab at democracy.”

He also questioned the term “appropriate person”, asking, “Does it refer to a party leader, a hired thug, or simply the children of ministers and MPs?”

Objecting to the District Council (Amendment) Bill, Jamaat-e-Islami’s Gazi Enamul Haque said the amendment directly violates three articles of the Constitution.

Citing several court rulings, he argued that appointing administrators instead of elected representatives is unlawful.

State Minister for Local Government Mir Shahe Alam responded to the objections separately.

He said the current “special circumstance” is that elections cannot be held as the law has not yet been finalised.

Since the provision for party symbols has been removed, administrators have been appointed, he said.