The government has appointed administrators to six city corporations under the Local Government (City Corporation) (Amendment) Act, 2024, according to an official notification.
The order, issued on 22 February by the Local Government Division of the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives, said the appointments will remain in force until elected mayors assume office or until further instructions are issued.
The appointed administrators are: Mohammad Abdus Salam — Dhaka South City Corporation
Mohammad Shafiqul Islam Khan — Dhaka North City Corporation
Nazrul Islam Monju — Khulna City Corporation
Abdul Qayyum Chowdhury — Sylhet City Corporation
Shakhawat Hossain Khan — Narayanganj City Corporation
Showkat Hossain Sarker — Gazipur City Corporation
Under Section 25(1) of the amended law, the administrators will exercise the powers and perform the duties of mayors. They will receive remuneration and benefits in line with existing government rules.
Copies of the notification have been sent to the Cabinet Division, Prime Minister's Office, Election Commission Secretariat, as well as divisional commissioners, deputy commissioners and other relevant offices for implementation.
Several of the appointees are leaders of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). Some had contested the 12 February parliamentary elections but were defeated, while others sought party nominations but did not receive tickets.
BNP Central Organising Secretary Nazrul Islam Monju, a former lawmaker from Khulna-2, will oversee Khulna City Corporation. Abdul Qayyum Chowdhury, president of Sylhet district BNP, has been assigned to Sylhet City Corporation.
In Dhaka, Mohammad Abdus Salam, a member of the BNP chairperson’s advisory council, has been appointed to Dhaka South, while Mohammad Shafiqul Islam Khan will serve as administrator of Dhaka North.
Officials said the interim arrangements aim to ensure uninterrupted civic services until elected city governments are reconstituted.
