All (493) Upazila Parishad chairmen of the country have been removed. In their place, the concerned upazila executive officers have been given the responsibility of administrators. The local government department has issued a separate order in this regard on Monday.

Earlier last Friday, the ‘Local Government (City Corporation) (Amendment) Ordinance, 2024’, ‘Local Government (Municipal) (Amendment) Ordinance, 2024’, ‘District Council (Amendment) Ordinance, 2024’ and ‘Upazilla Parishad (Amendment) Ordinance, 2024’ The draft Ordinance, 2024 has been approved by the Advisory Council of the Interim Government. Later it was promulgated in the form of an Ordinance.

As a result of the amendment, the government will be able to remove mayors and councilors of any city corporation and municipality in public interest if deemed necessary in special circumstances. Similarly, the chairman and members of the zilla parishad and the chairman, vice chairman and female vice chairmen of the upazila parishad can be removed. At the same time, the government can appoint administrators in these.

After the resignation of Sheikh Hasina from the post of Prime Minister on August 5 in the face of the mass movement of the students, most of the representatives of the local government have gone into hiding. From district and upazila parishads to city corporations and municipalities, almost all top positions were occupied by Awami League leaders and workers. In such a situation, the activities of the local government institutions were being disrupted. Later, the government made alternative arrangements. For example, if the Upazila Chairman is absent, the Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) will perform the duties. Now the government is creating an opportunity to appoint administrators by removing the mayor-chairmen by amending the law through an ordinance.