The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

LGRD Adviser Anwarul Iqbal Sunday said the incumbent caretaker government wants to hold upazila elections during its tenure.

He also hinted holding of upazila elections along with the parliamentary election.

Briefing newsmen at his secretariat office, Iqbal said: "The present caretaker government wants to complete the upazila elections as the previous elected governments didn't take any initiative to hold such elections despite having the opportunity."

Expressing his doubts about upazila election under the future elected government, he said: "If this government don't hold the upazilla elections, I don't think it will take place in future."

Responding to a query, the LGRD Adviser said there is no bar to holding the upazila elections and parliamentary election together.

"There is precedence of holding national and upazila elections the same day. The people of Bangladesh has the experience of casting their votes in two ballot papers at a time."

Iqbal said there are many laws for holding elections to City Corporation, district council, upazila parishad, pourashava and union parishad. The government is now thinking of formulating a new law by integrating the existing laws.

He informed that a conference of elected representatives of local bodies would be held at the National Parade Square in the city on January 5 aiming to strengthen the local government bodies.