Enhancing Responsive Local Governance in Bangladesh: A Post-Uprising Contextual Assessment in Rangpur

Abstract

This study assesses the local governance landscape in Bangladesh following a significant political transition marked by a student-led mass uprising in 2024. It explores the effectiveness, efficiency, and accountability of Local Government Institutions (LGIs) in the new governance environment, highlighting key challenges such as corruption, citizen engagement, service delivery, and capacity-building needs. The findings suggest that despite entrenched governance flaws, there is an opportunity to strengthen democratic local governance through policy reforms, capacity enhancement, and citizen participation mechanisms. The study recommends strategies for ensuring transparent, inclusive, and accountable local governance in Bangladesh.