The cabinet has approved the proposal to hold local body elections on a partisan basis. We understand the merit of the change. But there is a plus side and a minus side to partisan polls at local level. When we look at the positive, it recognises the reality of what has been happening on the ground. So far, candidates endorsed by parties, if not directly nominated, have been contesting the polls. And one of the downsides, and there are a few, will be that the political rivalry witnessed during national elections will willy-nilly be replicated at the grassroots level, and we might see the same animosity here like that displayed in national elections.

At present, there is a façade of non-party elections which is all too evident from some of the recently held municipal polls where certain candidates drew upon the senior heavyweights to campaign on their behalf. In other countries too, local elections are held on partisan basis, as in, for instance, India. However, here we should not overlook the fact that Indian elections are not as violent as we have witnessed in our country. In Bangladesh, national elections becomes a battle of egos and winning becomes the be-all and end-all of the contest. Such a mentality might now percolate to the grassroots elections with bad consequences.

Be that as it may, our serious concern stems from the possibility of corruption, money and muscle-power pervading the local ballot, which was not quite the case before. Furthermore, there will be a rat race to get party nominations. Last but not the least, whatever may be the form of election, partisan or non-partisan, it boils down to the need for an efficacious local government system. Unless local government is given more authority like levying local taxes, development planning, and financial autonomy, and made free from the influence of the local members of parliament, the development of the country may be severely impaired.