Mayoral elections are essential to overcome the challenges faced by our two major cities
We welcome news that the Election Commission is ready to organise polls for the two Dhaka City Corporations and plans to hold elections for the Chittagong City Corporation on the same day.
The lack of accountability to citizens caused by the failure to hold local government elections in Dhaka since 2002 is a major factor exacerbating the corruption and mismanagement that undermines quality of life in the capital.
Mayoral elections are essential to help ensure much needed improvements to basic city services and to plan a better vision for future growth.
New leadership can beget the new ideas and approaches which are needed to overcome the blight and deterrent to investment caused by congestion and poor urban planning.
It is vital that candidates provide clear, sustainable solutions to overcome the multiple challenges faced by our two major metropolises.
They need to be able to deliver projects to build new housing and improved transport infrastructure. If planned properly, such initiatives can help improve the lives of all citizens in the country. Helping major centres flourish better by improving transport links can also allow more businesses to relocate and help spread development opportunities across the country.
We hope that the door opened by city elections will help create the space needed to enable the dialogue which is desperately needed to end the damage caused by the national political deadlock.
A fresh start is exactly what is needed to revitalise the management and leadership of our two leading cities, and help build a more prosperous nation.
Source: Dhaka Tribune
Dhaka Tribune once again is singing Awami League tune. The Dhaka City elections were hanging on for years. Now they find the time is good as most BNP leaders are in jail or are hiding. Additionally they arrested Mahmudur Rahman Manna so that he cannot run. What a nice reporting. Long live Dhaka Tribune. Joy Bangla.