On 20 July 2025, a roundtable discussion titled ‘স্থানীয় শাসনব্যবস্থায় নাগরিক কোথায়’ (Where Are the Citizens in Local Governance?) was co-hosted by BIGD and Prothom Alo. Among the participants were Dr. Tofail Ahmed (Local Government Reform Commission), Shaheen Anam (Manusher Jonno Foundation), Maheen Sultan (BIGD), Syeda Salina Aziz (BIGD), Asif Mohammad Shahan (BIGD), and several others.
The participants emphasised several key recommendations for strengthening local governance. Firstly, they stressed the need to establish a constitutionally recognised and independent Local Government Commission. Alongside electoral democracy, they suggested the introduction of direct and participatory democracy at the local level, where citizen representatives would not only be responsible for ensuring accountability but also be actively involved in the decision-making process, thereby moving beyond mere reliance on elected representatives. Moreover, in addition to the current individual-centric participation model, a collective participation approach should be introduced in these forums. Establishing participatory democracy at the local level requires a clear legal foundation. To ensure that citizens’ recommendations, opinions, and feedback are legally binding and enforceable, reforms in the existing laws are necessary. Participants further stated that existing participatory forums, such as ward meetings and open budget sessions, must be made regular and effective, and should maintain their communication and accountability mechanisms through the independent Local Government Commission.
More information on the roundtable can be found here.
