Bangladesh's local government system now faces several limitations, including institutional weaknesses, over-centralisation of power and financial constraints.
Besides, there are other challenges such as lack of transparency, accountability and corruption, political interference and limited opportunities for gender and social inclusion.
Speakers identified the challenges at a press conference at the National Press Club in the capital on Tuesday.
The press conference on 'Local government reform in light of democratic decentralisation and public aspirations' was jointly organised by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Governance Advocacy Forum (GAF) with the support of the Embassy of Switzerland in Bangladesh.
Wave Foundation deputy director Kaniz Fatima moderated the event while GAF coordinator and Wave Foundation executive director Mohsin Ali delivered the keynote address.
NRDS executive director Abdul Awal, Media Professional Group executive director Samar Roy and SHIELD executive director Mahbub Alam Feroz, among others, were also present.
Mr Mohsin said the GAF had been working for democratic decentralisation and establishment of strong local government through policy advocacy and campaign involving different stakeholders since 2007.
An eight-member committee local government reform commission was formed to bring in time-befitting changes for the welfare of the countrymen, he said.
Against this backdrop, the GAF also prepared reform proposal under a project and five dialogues were also held in five divisions during the January-February period.
"In broad term six limitations were identified by the forum," he said.
The GAF presented a set of recommendations under each of the limitations it identified.
It suggested increasing the number of wards in an upazila in proportion with the population, scrapping the rule that allows a member of parliament to become advisers of upazila parishad, revising the honorarium of the public representatives.
It also suggested creating a specific 'budget allocation framework' for local governments in the national budget, introducing e-governance systems and web-based monitoring systems, ensuring representation of different communities in the committees and the inclusion of a greater number of citizens and youth representatives.
Responding to different questions from journalists, GAF leaders said in the context of discussions and agreements with political parties, it is to be decided whether national or local government elections should be arranged first.
The government should bridge the gap with political parties and come to a decision quickly on reform issues.
They also underscored the need for reducing dependence on bureaucracy and let public representatives work responsibly.
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