Hold upazila polls before parliament election

Prof Muzaffer Ahmad speaks at the second national conference of Shushashoner Janney Nagorik (Shujan) at the Institute of Diploma Engineers in the city yesterday.Photo: STAR

Upazila polls should be held before parliament election to make local government more strengthened and infuse more dynamism into its activities, said the speakers at a national conference yesterday.
They said free and fair polls are needed so that people can elect honest and eligible candidates both at parliament and local government elections.
The second national conference of Shujan (Shushashoner Janney Nagorik) (Citizens for Good Governance) was held at the Institute of Diploma Engineers in the city. It was participated by 600 members of union, upazila and district level committees of Shujan.
Former adviser to a caretaker government ASM Shahjahan said previous political governments did not hold local government election due to their political interests.
“Upazila election should be held before parliament election in December. Otherwise, upazila election may not be held during the tenure of next elected government,” said Shahjahan, also former inspector general of police.
Shujan President Prof Muzaffer Ahmad said the people's interest will not be fulfilled if transparency, accountability and responsibility are not established in the politics of both central and local governments.
"Reforms in political parties alone are not enough, political leaders will have to change their attitudes as well," he added.
Another former adviser to a caretaker government Hafiz Uddin Khan said local government election is necessary for reaching the development activities to grassroots level.
Shujan Secretary Dr Badiul Alam Majumdar and columnist Syed Abul Maksud also addressed the conference.