ABSTRACT
Bangladesh’s Constitution accommodates existence of local government at each administrative unit without guarantees for autonomy. However, successive regimes have tried to consolidate their power by constraining the growth of the local government institutions. As a consequence, democratic erosion in the country has imperilled the election process for the local government institutions. The role of citizens in choosing their representatives for the local government has become limited. The influence and dominance of the political parties and bureaucrats over the local government institutions have now increased manifold. The weaving of the local government institutions and its stakeholders remains weak and limits not only democracy but also the local service delivery system in Bangladesh.
