PM orders holding local govt polls at the earliest

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has instructed the officials concerned to hold of local government elections as soon as possible, said Mir Shahe Alam, state minister for local government, on Thursday.

The PM has also called for the swift passage of all the relevant ordinances issued by the interim government, the state minister said while placing the Upazila Parishad (Amendment) Bill 2026 in parliament.

Amendment bills for three local government bodies – City Corporation, Upazila Parishad, and Municipality – were introduced in the Parliament and passed by voice vote.

Opposition lawmakers voted "no," voicing concerns at multiple provisions included in these laws.

Through the amendment of a law, the system of using party symbols in local government elections was abolished. It was not clear whether the opposition opposed this provision as well.