Low Participation in Ward Shaba and Open Budget Meetings: A Field Observation

Low Participation in Ward Shaba and Open Budget Meetings: A Field Observation

The long-term growth of a nation is heavily contingent upon its system of governance. Except for some arguments, Bangladesh, as a developing nation, has made substantial advancements in human development indices and governance aspects in the last decades. The significance of good governance cannot be ignored when it comes to achieving effective economic growth. Accountability, transparency, efficiency and effectiveness, participation, the rule of law, and fairness are some of the traits of good governance.

These characteristics ensure the widespread acceptance of societal objectives and the inclusion of the voices of marginalized and economically disadvantaged individuals in decision-making processes on the allocation of resources for development. In this aspect, participation is one of the most essential indicators of good governance since it validates the involvement of the people in the government decision-making process.

The involvement of individuals is of utmost importance in the functioning of a democratic system in the local government units of Bangladesh. There are six distinct avenues through which individuals may engage with local government entities. These avenues include the Ward Shaba, open budget sessions, village courts, standing committees, citizen charters, and access to information. Among them, Ward Shaba and open budget sessions are essential avenues for people’s participation in local government decision-making, as they offer direct opportunities for participation.

The Union Parishad Act of 2009 and decentralisation contributed to the development of the concept of Ward Shabha under the Union Parishad. The main duties of Ward Shaba are the selection of development strategies and the assessment of Ward’s developmental endeavours. The Ward Shaba consists of the whole of the Ward’s electorate, with the elected general member of each Ward fulfilling the role of the meeting’s chairperson and the elected female member serving as an adviser.

Furthermore, it is noteworthy that a minimum of 5% of the electorate within the Ward actively participates in each meeting, indicating a conscientious effort to include public perspectives in the decision-making process. Besides, the budgeting process of the Union Parishad (UP) was centralized until 2009. However, the implementation of the Local Government (UP) Act in 2009 established a legal framework for public participation in local policymaking and budgeting via the introduction of an open budget meeting procedure. The primary objective of the open budget session is to facilitate the discussion and deliberation on the Union Parishad (UP) budget, ensuring that the voices of the populace are duly acknowledged and that the elected representatives are held responsible to the constituents.

As per the provisions outlined in the Union Parishad (UP) Act of 2009, the Union Parishad is mandated to conduct two budget sessions annually. These sessions are designed to be inclusive, welcoming the participation of individuals from all backgrounds, irrespective of their race, religion, gender, social status, or personal history. During the budget session, the Union Parishad (UP) conventionally proposes the proposed budget, including income and spending. Nevertheless, it is explored that individuals’ limited knowledge, subpar education, lack of engagement, and insufficient awareness significantly impeded their ability to actively participate in shaping governmental decision-making through Ward Shaba and open budget sessions. Explicitly, individuals at the grassroots level exhibit a greater degree of irresponsibility when it comes to exercising their rights to participate in government decision-making processes.

However, based on a comprehensive field investigation, this study presented an analysis of the current state of Ward Shaba and the open budget meetings in the local government units in Bangladesh. In November 2022, 384 individuals in twelve Union Parishads under three Upazila Parishads (Trishal, Kuliarchar, and Baluka Upazila Parishads) in Bangladesh participated in a cross-sectional survey. The results showed that 41% of respondents had no knowledge of Ward Shaba, and 59% of rural residents had limited knowledge of it. These statistics demonstrate a considerable knowledge gap among the local people regarding the responsibilities and tasks of Ward Shaba in local administration.

Comparably, it was identified that only 26% of the community people took part in the Ward Shaba meetings; the remaining 74% abstained. On the other hand, it was explored that only 18% of respondents’ opinions were considered in the Ward Shaba, while 82% of respondents’ comments were rejected. The reasons underlying the low participation rate were varied. Rural politics, group dynamics, and personal reluctance were identified as the key impediments preventing locals from taking an active role in Ward Shaba activities.

These factors contribute to a sense of disenfranchisement among a significant portion of the community. Thus losing out on possibilities for citizen engagement and participation in local decision-making. However, these findings indicate that people’s participation in the decision-making process and the incorporation of stakeholders would help to strengthen accountability, transparency, administrative efficiency, citizen awareness, etc. regarding ensuring good governance in Bangladesh.

Correspondingly, according to the survey data, it was found that 45% of the local residents had awareness of the open budget meeting, while the remaining 55% of respondents indicated a lack of familiarity with this term. This figure indicates that there is a substantial knowledge gap within the community regarding open budget meetings, their significance, and the role they play in local governance.

Additionally, it was discovered that a minority of individuals from the local population, namely around 35%, actively engaged in the open budget meeting, while the remaining 65% did not participate in the aforementioned event. This finding suggests that a significant portion of the local people have not been directly involved in these meetings, potentially missing out on opportunities to influence budget allocation and local governance decisions. However, it is observed that the participation of rural people in open budget meetings is crucial for preparing an effective and efficient budget that would include overall development at the grassroots level. 

In addition, the open budget session allows community members to raise their voices and engage in the decision-making process and development initiatives. Therefore, authorities concerned should take necessary strategies to encourage greater participation and awareness regarding participating local people in Ward Shaba and open budget meetings within the local government framework in Bangladesh. Moreover, addressing barriers to participation and fostering a sense of civic responsibility could enhance community engagement and contribute to more informed decision-making processes in the future.Full Version
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The writer is a lecturer, Dept. of Public Administration
and Governance Studies, Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University, Trishal, Mymensingh.