A key question emerging in Bangladesh’s political discourse is the timing of the national and local elections under the interim government. While they have pledged to implement structural reforms before holding elections and suggested a possible timeline for holding elections, no official announcements have yet been made.
Questions over union parishad services
On February 20, a leading Bengali national newspaper highlighted a statement from the local government reform commission regarding improvements in service delivery governance. The commission proposed increasing the number of wards at the union level, suggesting an effort to bring union parishad services closer to citizens.
In theory, increasing the number of wards within a union should enhance doorstep access to local government services. However, it also raises questions about the accountability and transparency of the local government’s service delivery mechanism, specifically, how effectively it functions in real-world settings.
For a study on the power dynamic in informal governance by the Brac Institute of Governance and Development (BIGD), we spoke to locals in Satkhira after the July uprising and learned that many of them were unaware of the services offered by the union parishad or how its accountability mechanisms function.
There was a significant gap in information and awareness among rural communities. This is barely a surprise considering that the local government has been typically politicized with corruption and misuse of power, creating an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty.
Following the fall of the Awami League regime, several union parishad chairpersons and members were forced to vacate their positions due to their political affiliations. This sudden void in local government disrupted service delivery, particularly social safety net programs.
In a coastal village in Bangladesh, 61-year-old Ayesha (pseudonym), struggled to get the government’s widow’s allowance. Though she was eligible, the money never reached her. Meanwhile, she saw others -- some seemingly less deserving -- receive the support. Confused and frustrated, she approached local authorities, but no one listened. Corruption, bureaucracy, and lack of empathy seemed to block her way.
The white paper report also revealed that about 40% of safety net benefits go to the “wrong” people, raising concerns about accountability in local governance. Ayesha’s experience reflects a bigger issue -- citizens often struggle to access essential services due to complicated processes. Many make repeated trips to union parishad offices only to be disappointed. These problems highlight the need for reforms to make services simpler and fairer for everyone.
Efforts to strengthen local governance in Bangladesh have included initiatives to promote accountability and transparency. A key strategy has been establishing a horizontal system of checks and balances by actively involving local communities in governance. Initiatives to enhance local government accountability and transparency include the establishment of 13 standing committees under Chapter VIII of the Local Government (union parishad) Act 2009.
These committees are essential for managing policy development, budget oversight, public engagement, and performance evaluation. Their goals are to improve operational efficiency, ensure accountability, expedite decision-making, optimize resource use, implement government initiatives, and encourage public participation.
Each standing committee comprises five to seven members, with union parishad members as chairs, and can include subject matter experts for enhanced expertise. The effectiveness of these committees relies on proper implementation, as they can connect community needs with local government actions, ensuring participatory, transparent, and responsive governance.
Without these reforms, they will continue to serve as mere extensions of existing power structures rather than as mechanisms for accountability and public service
So why are they failing?
A major issue lies in standing committee formations -- union parishad chairpersons exercise significant control over appointments, often prioritizing loyalty over competence.
This results in a lack of diversity, with the same individuals occupying multiple roles, discouraging dissent and independent thought. As a result, oversight and accountability become meaningless.
Political influence further weakens committees. Ruling party dominance ensures that political interests override public needs, silencing dissent through intimidation, threats, or exclusion. Even well-intentioned members are sidelined if they challenge the status quo, while influential figures dictate agendas, sidelining grassroots concerns.
Gender imbalance is another critical issue. While policies encourage women’s participation, actual representation remains low, limiting diverse perspectives and sensitivity to gender-specific issues.
Additionally, committee members often lack the necessary expertise, as appointments are based on connections rather than competence. This results in weak oversight and ineffective governance.
Though rules mandate bi-monthly meetings with recommendations forwarded for council discussions, these are often delayed or skipped. When held, decisions rarely contradict the chairman’s preferences, further undermining independence.
Moreover, non-inclusiveness remains a serious gap. Committees rarely reflect the diversity of their communities, often excluding marginalized groups such as individuals with disabilities, the elderly, or widows. Operating in isolation, they fail to bridge the gap between governance and community needs, eroding public trust.
To be effective, standing committees need independent selection processes, political insulation, gender balance, capacity-building, and genuine community representation. Without these reforms, they will continue to serve as mere extensions of existing power structures rather than as mechanisms for accountability and public service.
Steps toward effectiveness: Bridging the gap
The 2024 July Revolution marked a turning point in Bangladesh’s political landscape, increasing public engagement and prompting governance reforms. In response, the interim government established a Local Government Reform Commission to address challenges in local governance, particularly within the union parishad’s 13 standing committees. Enhancing their effectiveness is crucial for improving transparency, accessibility, and accountability.
To achieve this, the selection process for committee members must prioritize integrity and responsiveness. The upazila parishad (local government administration) should have oversight to ensure fairness, while the decision-making authority of the chairperson must be reevaluated to prevent excessive control.
Capacity building is essential; committee members should have relevant expertise or undergo comprehensive training in governance, leadership, and technical knowledge.
Ensuring committee autonomy is equally vital; they must operate free from political influence, with clear guidelines and oversight mechanisms safeguarding their independence.
Regular meetings and systematic monitoring should be enforced, with proper documentation and accountability measures in place.
Additionally, strengthening community engagement through awareness campaigns, open forums, and structured feedback mechanisms will foster public trust and participation.
Gender inclusion must also be prioritized. Increasing women's representation will enhance decision-making by incorporating diverse perspectives and addressing community needs more inclusively.
By prioritizing transparency, autonomy, inclusivity, and capacity-building, these committees can evolve into strong pillars of local democracy. It is time for policymakers and stakeholders to invest in strengthening this vital governance structure to realize truly participatory and accountable local government.
MM Nuruzzaman is a Field Researcher and Tanvir Shatil is a Research Coordinator at the Brac Institute of Governance and Development (BIGD).