According to the Local Government Act, the mayor's term of office will be for the next five years from the date of the first general meeting of the city corporation. Accordingly, the second term of the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) is ending today, Monday. As a result, a new crisis has arisen over the swearing-in of BNP leader Ishraq Hossain as mayor.
Analysts believe that Ishraq will no longer have the opportunity to take the oath. On the contrary, Ishraq's lawyer says that Ishraq will be able to serve as mayor until the election.
Election expert Abdul Alim said, "According to the rules, the corporation's term has already expired. All in all, it's a mess. In this situation, I don't think Ishraq Hossain will be able to take the oath as mayor again."
Dr. Adil Muhammad Khan, executive director of the research institute Institute for Planning and Development, said that since the term of this DSCC board is ending, Ishraq Hossain no longer has a chance to sit as mayor.
Ishraq's lawyer AM Mahbub Uddin Khokon said, "Local government elections are held according to the government's law. There is a provision in this law called 'special circumstances'. Therefore, the EC will be able to take a decision on Ishraq's matter according to that provision. Ishraq will be able to serve as mayor until the next election."
Meanwhile, a copy of the Supreme Court's Appellate Division verdict on Ishraq has not yet reached the EC. EC Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said, "We have not received the court's observations on Ishraq. We will take action as soon as the observations and instructions come."
What is in the law?
Section 49/1 of the Local Government (City Corporation) Act 2009 (Amended) states that the mayor and councilors will hold office for the next five years from the date of the first corporation meeting. Section 16 states that if the post of mayor suddenly becomes vacant, the post must be filled within 90 days. The person who is elected will serve for the remaining period. In this situation, Ishraq will no longer have the opportunity to serve as mayor from today. Because the term is ending today.
Section 25/1 states that an administrator may be appointed to the corporation in special circumstances. In that case, a suitable person or an officer employed in the service of the Republic may be appointed as the administrator. In these matters, it becomes clear that Ishraq will no longer have the opportunity to take the oath of office as mayor.
