Dhaka, Sep 23 (V7N)- Local government elections in Bangladesh are unlikely to be held this year and may begin early next year, State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam said on Wednesday.
Speaking at a briefing at the Secretariat, Shahe Alam said the Union Parishad elections are expected to be completed by June 6 next year, while the Election Commission will determine the specific polling dates.
The state minister said around Tk 6,000 crore has been allocated for the local government elections. Of the allocation, approximately Tk 2,500 crore has been earmarked for Union Parishad elections.
The government has planned elections to five types of local government bodies—city corporations, municipalities, upazila parishads, zila parishads and Union Parishads. Earlier, Shahe Alam had said the Election Commission would have authority over the election schedule and polling dates.
Shahe Alam also announced a major rooftop solar power initiative for local government institutions and related departmental buildings across the country.
Under the plan, solar panels will be installed on the rooftops of 6,544 institutions at an estimated cost of Tk 370 crore.
Electricity generation from the rooftop solar systems is scheduled to begin on January 27, according to the state minister.
The installations are expected to generate a combined 300 megawatts of electricity. Of this, the institutions will use around 150 megawatts for their own needs, while the remaining 150 megawatts will be supplied to the government.
The initiative is aimed at increasing renewable-energy use across government institutions while reducing dependence on conventional electricity sources.
The state minister said the government is moving ahead with both the local government election preparations and renewable-energy projects as part of its broader plans for strengthening local administration and public infrastructure.
END/SMA/AJ
