AKM Selim Reza Habib, Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives, believes that law enforcement agencies are not yet ‘fully prepared’ to conduct local government elections. Consequently, he has requested that the election schedule be announced only after allowing the forces sufficient time to prepare. However, the committee chairman remains optimistic that, even with this preparation time, local government elections can still be held early next year.

Selim Reza Habib spoke at a briefing following the first meeting of the parliamentary standing committee at the National Parliament House on Sunday (October 11).

During the meeting, a recommendation was made to investigate irregularities and corruption regarding ‘unnecessary’ projects—funded by both domestic and foreign sources—undertaken during the tenure of the Awami League-led government. Emphasis was also placed on prioritizing the implementation of projects that serve the public interest while discarding ‘unnecessary’ ones.

Regarding local government elections, Selim Reza Habib noted that these elections are more complex and fraught with risk compared to other types of elections. He stated that law enforcement agencies do not yet possess the full level of preparedness required to manage such elections.

“We expect these elections to take place early next year,” he said.

Explaining the risks associated with local government elections, the committee chairman pointed out that candidates in local elections are often more driven by personal interests and attempts to exert influence compared to those in national elections.

He noted that local elections involve contests for members across nine wards, members for three reserved seats for women, and the position of chairman. Candidates’ activists and supporters are present at every polling center, necessitating greater vigilance to maintain law and order.

The committee chairman added that members from both the ruling party and the opposition discussed holding the local government elections as soon as possible during the meeting.