Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General and former MP Mia Golam Parwar has condemned the government’s continued appointment of administrators to Union Parishads, alleging that the move is aimed at delaying local government elections.

In a statement published on Jamaat's official facebook page on Thursday, Parwar said people expected elected representatives to take charge of local government institutions following the February 12 national election.

Instead, he alleged, the government was appointing administrators to Union Parishads to undermine the democratic process.

Citing Ministry of Local Government data, he said around 311 of the country’s more than 4,500 Union Parishads are currently eligible for elections. He said administrators had been appointed to at least 38 Union Parishads over the past two months, including seven newly formed unions.

Parwar also criticised the appointment of 12 BNP leaders and activists as members of Rupganj Union Parishad in Narayanganj, describing it as an attempt to create political advantage ahead of local elections.

He said the government should immediately withdraw party-affiliated administrators and ensure elections are held at all levels of local government. He also called for appointed administrators to be declared ineligible to contest the upcoming elections.

The government has earlier said administrator appointments are necessary to ensure public services continue smoothly. The Election Commission is preparing to hold Union Parishad elections within this year, with the schedule expected to be announced in September.