Dhaka, Feb 23
In a statement issued on Monday, party Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar said the appointments undermine hopes for representative local governance following recent political developments in the country.
Administrators Named for Six Major Cities
According to an official notification issued on February 22 by the Local Government Division, administrators have been appointed to:
- Dhaka North City Corporation
- Dhaka South City Corporation
- Khulna City Corporation
- Sylhet City Corporation
- Narayanganj City Corporation
- Gazipur City Corporation
Jamaat alleged that individuals with links to the ruling party were installed instead of elected representatives.
‘Disregard for People’s Aspirations’
Porwar said the decision reflects a failure to honour public demands for democratic governance.
“The July uprising aimed to establish a discrimination-free and democratic social order, complete the trial of the massacre, and implement necessary reforms,” he said.
He noted that the 13th parliamentary election and a subsequent referendum were intended as initial steps toward that objective, raising public expectations that local government institutions would also be formed through elections.
Warning of Delayed or ‘Engineered’ Elections
The Jamaat leader described the appointments as “morally reprehensible” and warned they could signal attempts to postpone local polls or stage another manipulated electoral exercise.
He also pointed to what he called encouraging signals from the Election Commission regarding upcoming local government elections, arguing that administrative appointments contradict those assurances.
Demand for Immediate Election Schedule
Calling for the cancellation of the appointments, Jamaat urged authorities to promptly announce election timetables for city corporations and all other local government tiers.
Analysts say control of urban local bodies is politically significant in Bangladesh, as city corporations manage key services, infrastructure budgets and grassroots political networks.
The controversy adds to the increasingly polarised political climate in the country, with opposition parties pressing for stronger democratic processes ahead of future elections.