Local govt polls to follow constitutional rules: Abdul Moin Khan

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Dr Abdul Moin Khan has said local government elections will be organised by properly following constitutional rules. He made the remarks while exchanging greetings with heads of various agencies and departments under the ministry and the media at the Secretariat yesterday, Sunday.

The Local Government Minister said the democratic government would not hold elections in the way elections were conducted during the previous fascist government. BNP formed the government with the mandate of the people. The people’s wishes were not reflected in the four elections held between 2008 and 2024. After a long time, a government truly representing the people is now working through the 2026 election. One year is a long time. Elections at every level of local government will be held in accordance with constitutional rules, in line with government policies and in a manner that reflects the will of the people. True representatives of the people will be elected in these elections. “Our ministry is an exceptional ministry. This ministry has a leading role in directly providing services to the people. If the Local Government Ministry functions properly, the entire country will be governed properly. This is because this ministry works directly with people at the grassroots. If the ministry succeeds, the government will also succeed,” he said.

Dr Abdul Moin Khan said the government would serve everyone. However, services for poor people must be given priority. Over the past 17 years, the rights of poor people were taken away while serving the wealthy class. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has introduced the Family Card and Farmer Card for poor people. Work will continue in the future, as in the past, to meet the needs of poor people. The people of the country are his priority. “Our government will not tolerate any kind of corruption. Those who engage in corruption will be dealt with through the Anti-Corruption Commission following due process. Not only in the Local Government Ministry, but at all levels of government, everyone responsible for irregularities and corruption must be held accountable,” he said.

He said BNP did not believe in the politics of revenge but believed in the politics of the rule of law. The government is truly moving forward on the path of restoring the democratic system. Emphasising that BNP does not believe in the politics of retaliation, he said, “We want to establish a legal system. We are called a cantonment party, but the Awami League killed democracy. Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman restored it. They also destroyed the country’s judicial system. Judgments were not written by judges; they were written at ministries.”