Ensuring Good Governance through People’s Participation in Local Government: The Case of Union Parishad in Bangladesh
Ensuring Good Governance through People’s Participation in Local Government: The Case of Union Parishad in Bangladesh
Author
Tanjil
Ahmed
Public Administration and Governance Studies
Acknowledgment
First and foremost, I'd like to
thank Almighty Allah for creating us and giving me the strength and patience to finish the report. I'd also like to thank the University Grant Commission and the Director of Research and Development at Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University for giving me this wonderful opportunity to
conduct research.
I would like to express my gratitude to the Department of Public Administration and Governance Studies and my supervisor, Azizir Rahman, for their unwavering support in completing this research. I would also like to thank all the respondents, interviewees, and other contributors for their assistance in completing this paper.
Table of
Contents
Acknowledgment..
Abstract
Chapter
One
1.1
Introduction
1.2
Objectives of Study
1.3
Research Questions
1.4
Statement of the Problem
1.5 Significance of the Study
1.6
Scope and Limitations of the Study
Chapter
Two
2.1 Theoretical Framework of the
Study
2.1.1
Governance
2.1.2
Good Governance
2.1.3 Participation
2.1.4
People’s Participation
2.1.5
Local Government
2.1.6
Union Parishad
2.1.7
Avenues of People’s Participation
2.2 Review of Related Literature
2.2.1
Different Avenues of People’s Participation in
Union Parishads
2.2.2
Major challenges of people’s participation in
the Union Parishads
2.2.3 Initiatives
for ensuring good governance through people’s participation
2.2.4
Identification of the Research Gap
Chapter
Three
3.1
Research Method
3.2
Research Design
3.3
Study Location and Sample Design
3.4
Data Analysis Method
3.5
Ethical Consideration
Chapter
Four
4.1 Demographic Information of the Respondents
4.2
Understanding of Participation
Avenues
4.3 Participation
of Respondents in the Different Avenues of Local Government
4.4
The Importance of Voter Turnout in the UP Election to Ensure Good Governance
4.5 Public Participation in Open Budget
Meetings
4.6
The Importance of Citizen Engagement in Ward Shaba
4.7
Existing Status of the Village Court
4.8
The Social Problems May be Resolved by the Village Court
4.9
Participation of the Populace in Village Court is Essential
4.10 Participation of the Public in the UP
Standing Committee is Essential
4.11 Necessity of Accessing People’s
Participation in Information is Essential
4.12 Respondent Has Difficulties Getting
Information
4.13 The Gap between Policy Formulation
and Implementation
4.14 Awareness of the Right to Information Act (2009) among the Public
4.15 Effective Strategy that can Ensure People’s Participation
4.16 Discussion of the study
Chapter Five
5.1 Conclusion and Recommendations
References
Appendices
Executive Summary
Introduction
Bangladesh, as a developing country, has already
achieved the distinction of having the fastest-growing economy due to its
commitment to democracy and good governance at all levels. It is well
understood that a country's long-term development is largely dependent on its
governing system (Glass & Newig, 2019). Bangladesh has
significantly improved human development indicators as well as good governance
issues since the 1990s (Jahan, 2021). Bangladesh's
constitution expressly states that the state shall make every effort to ensure
equal opportunity for all citizens and shall take effective measures to
eliminate social and economic inequality in order to ensure an equitable
distribution of wealth and opportunities among citizens (Ahasan, 2018). The primary
goal of this statement is to achieve a consistent level of sustainable
development across the Republic (Aminuzzaman, 2006). In this
regard, the most pressing issue is good governance, which refers to an ideal
governing system that represents a paradigm shift in the role of governments.
In particular, good governance is the active and fruitful interaction between
the State and its people, and the key to its success resides with the forces
that participate in political administration (Keping, 2018). However, good
governance is critical for successful economic development (MIRA & HAMMADACHE, 2017). Accountability,
transparency, efficiency and effectiveness, participation, the rule of law, and
fairness are some of the traits of good governance. These traits make sure that
society's priorities are widely accepted and that the voices of the most
vulnerable and poorest people are heard when decisions are made about how to
distribute resources for development (Hassan & Zeb, 2021).
Participation is one of the most essential
indicators of good governance since it validates the participation of the
people in government decision-making (Uzzaman, 2010). Participation
often refers to people's engagement in the decision-making process for
implementing their fair share of the benefits of development programs as well
as their involvement in attempts to assess such programs (Fitzgerald et al., 2016). In this
aspect, through the participation of the people, local government plays a
crucial role in the exercise of democracy and good governance in Bangladesh (Anam, 2019). The local
government is both an administrative entity and a subsystem of the central
government. The primary function of local government is to provide services
locally within a certain region (Bhuiyan, 2011). There are
three layers of local administration in rural areas: Union Parishad, Upazila
Parishad, and Zila Parishad. In rural regions, Union Parishad is the lowest
tier of local government (Maniruzzaman & Haque, 2020). A Union
Parishad is made up of nine wards in Bangladesh, which has an elected chairman
who represents it politically, nine elected members for each ward, and three
nominated female members for each Union (one female nominated member for three
wards) (Ahmed & Akter, 2021). In this
standpoint, the Union Parishad is the most significant democratic institution
at the grassroots level since it provides effective opportunities by allowing
citizens to participate in the electoral process as well as the governance
process (Chowdhury & Panday, 2018).
This research, therefore,
focuses on citizen participation in local government, especially how such
participation leads to ensuring successful good governance through people's
participation at the Union Parishad level in Bangladesh.
1.2
Objectives of the Study
The broad objective of this study is to
explore the practice of people's participation in local government institutions
(Union Parishad) in terms of ensuring good governance in Bangladesh. The specific
objectives are
a) To identify the different avenues of people’s participation
in Union Parishads regarding ensuring good governance in Bangladesh.
b) To explore the major challenges of people’s participation in
the Union Parishads in terms of practicing good governance in Bangladesh.
c) To recommend ways for ensuring good governance in Union
Parishad through effective people’s participation in Bangladesh.
1.3
Research Questions
a)
What are the
different avenues of people’s participation in Union Parishads in Bangladesh?
b)
What are the major
challenges of people’s participation in Union Parishad in terms of ensuring
good governance in Bangladesh?
c) What are the recommended initiatives taken for ensuring good governance in Union Parishad through effective people’s participation in Bangladesh?
1.4 Statement of the Problem
Good
governance and citizen participation are now the most prominent topics in
Bangladesh. As a contemporary issue, many difficulties arise in the case of
ensuring people’s participation as well as ensuring good governance in
Bangladesh. The main obstacles to achieving good governance in Bangladesh
include people's inadequate knowledge, poor education, and lack of interest as
well as the authorities' weak accountability, poor transparency, the
inappropriate practice of rule of law, poor inclusion, etc. Participating in
the decision-making process and incorporating stakeholders may help to
strengthen accountability, transparency, administrative efficiency, improve
citizen awareness, etc. regarding ensuring good governance in Bangladesh. In this vein, how citizen participation may
improve good governance in Bangladesh is a troubling matter. Therefore,
ensuring good governance via people's participation in local government is the
appropriate research question that incorporates the practical issues of
people's participation in Union Parishads in Bangladesh
1.5
Significance of the Study
In Bangladesh, Union
Parishad is the lowest tier local government institution which delivers
services to citizens at their entrance. It is also the largest service sector
in the country, and this sector is continuously performing in terms of the
number of challenges (Ferdous et al., 2022). In this setting, Union Parishad requires a great deal
of attention, attachment, commitment, and determination to accomplish good
governance at the grassroots level via effective engagement of the people. The
cornerstone of establishing effective governance is people’s participation,
whereas Union Parishad plays a crucial role in this process as a rural local
government unit. People may express their views, rights, and demands and
secure their active participation in the government's decision-making process
via participation (Asaduzzaman, 2008). This research provides a comprehensive
idea about people’s participation in local government units (Union Parishad)
for ensuring good governance in Bangladesh. Although this topic is a
contemporary and dynamic issue, no extensive research has been conducted yet on
this topic around the world or in Bangladesh. Also, no holistic research has
been conducted to contribute to updated knowledge in this area. Therefore, the
contribution of this research is very significant and pragmatic for ensuring
good governance through people’s participation in local government sectors
(Union Parishad) in Bangladesh.
1.6
Scope and the limitation of the study
The primary focus of this research was to enhance good governance through people’s participation in local government. The research has been conducted mainly on ensuring good governance through people’s participation in rural local government units, i.e., Union Parishads in Bangladesh. The Bangladeshi central government, namely the Central administration, was not included in the study's scope. In addition, this research focuses only on people's engagement in the local government system (Union Parishad) with the aim of assuring people's participation in the decision-making process. The focus of this debate is not the general operations and issues of Union Parishad. Rather, this research investigates how to ensure good governance via people’s participation. However, people’s participation is not yet the latest issue in Bangladesh for ensuring good governance, but people’s poor awareness, interest, education, and engagement may hinder the actual practice of good governance in Bangladesh. In addition, a lack of information access hindered research efforts. The funding was insufficient to investigate this problem in its broadest sense.
Review
of Related Literature
Since the second half of the 1980s, the
issues of governance and good governance have been evolving at the vanguard of
the global agenda for progress. In recent times, the quality of governance is
being measured as the key prerequisite for solving many problems and for
socio-economic development in lower middle income countries like Bangladesh (B. Hasan et al., 2018). People’s
participation is thus one of the most essential prerequisites for achieving
good governance (MIRA & HAMMADACHE, 2017).
2.2.1 Different
avenues of people’s participation in Union Parishads
Uddin (2019) conducts a study on
citizens' empowerment through people’s participation in Union Parishad in
Bangladesh. On the basis of the constitution, the author predominantly
demonstrates the difference between the traditional concept of people’s participation
and modern practices of people’s participation in field administration in
Bangladesh. As well, the author explores the different avenues of people’s
participation in local government. The study was conducted by following a
descriptive and analytical approach, whereas the findings reveal that community
members' participation in local government institutions is not only an
opportunity for them, but also a mechanism for their empowerment. In addition,
people’s participation status in Union Parishad was very frustrating. However,
the study was only focused on how empowerment of marginalized
people occurred through people’s participation in local government, but the
author did not clarify the issues of people’s participation in different
avenues (Uddin, 2019). As well, Masango
(2002) describes a study on the significance of people’s participation as the
key element of good governance. Initially, the author argues that people’s
participation is the precondition of democracy. The study was conducted in a
qualitative manner, and the findings show that, as an important component of
democracy, people's participation ensures people's access to decision-making
and conveys the people's needs to policymakers. The findings also demonstrate the different avenues
of people’s participation in the governance process along with illustrating the
significance of people's participation in community development. However, the
author did not clarify the significance of people’s participation in local
government in terms of promoting good governance (Masango, 2002).
Respectively,
Hao et al. (2022) argue about the implication of people’s
participation in the governance process in terms of ensuring sustainable
development in Kenya. The authors predominantly illustrate the world’s current practices
of people’s participation in democratic process, decision-making process,
policy formulation and implementation process. Then the authors highlights the practices
of people’s participation in Kenya with constitutional basis. The study was
carried out by following a quantitative approach whereas the findings of the
study demonstrate the impact and relationship between people’s participation and
sustainable development in Kenya. However, the study was conducted in Kenyan
settings and ignored the concept of local government and good governance (Hao et al., 2022).
2.2.2 Major
challenges of people’s participation in the Union Parishads in terms of
practicing good governance
Haque (2009) describes a study on the
difficulties associated with citizen engagement in local governance. Initially,
the author explains the concept of local governance, the actors of governance,
and the role of local governance in socio-economic development. Principally,
the author illustrates the poor status of the local government system in
Bangladesh. The author contends that due to central government negligence,
ineffective decentralization, weak economic independence, and limited
government practice, local government institutions are frequently overshadowed
by national policies, practices, and efforts at economic growth and social and
political development. The study was conducted by analyzing secondary data,
whereas the findings demonstrate that due to inefficiency, lack of resources,
and political corruption, Union Parishads became ineffective and questioned by
the general public. Furthermore, the findings reflect the status of various
standing committees in terms of people's participation and decision-making in
Union Parishad. However, although the author demonstrates a policy framework,
he did not highlights the advances in people’s participation in local
government in terms of ensuring good governance in Bangladesh (Haque, 2009). In
addition, Uzzaman (2010) discusses a study on the challenges of citizen
participation in fostering good governance in developing nations. The author
mainly examines stakeholders' perceptions on encouraging people to participate
in local development projects along with a number of obstacles. The study was carried out by
following a qualitative method. The study's findings revealed that the idea of
good governance in Bangladesh is still relatively vague and confusing due to
the conventional mindset of relevant stakeholders. As a result, the author
places a strong emphasis on how individuals participate in development efforts
in developing nations like Bangladesh. However, the author did not highlight
the avenues of people’s participation in terms of ensuring effective good
governance in Bangladesh (Uzzaman,
2010).
Similarly, Panday
and Rabbani (2011) explore a study on good governance at the grass-root level
in Bangladesh, incorporating the instance of Union Parishad. In order to develop the body of knowledge on local
government, the authors illustrate the four indicators of good governance—public
engagement, leadership, transparency, and equality. The research was done using
qualitative data, and its results indicate that the governance environment at
the local level in Bangladesh is not conducive to the development of good
governance and strong local democracy. In particular, the findings of the study
demonstrate that although certain elements (such as ward Shaba, open budget,
citizen charter, and freedom to information) were included in the Local
Government (Union Parishad) Act of 2009, the government has not succeeded in
ensuring participation, accountability, good governance, and openness. However,
the authors did not provide any comprehensive suggestions to address the issues
of people’s participation in the Union Parishad regarding enhancing good
governance in Bangladesh (Panday &
Rabbani, 2011).
Hao et al. (2022) conversely articulate the challenges of people’s
participation in the governance process. The authors contend that people's
participation is still restricted as a result of people's ignorance (Hao et al., 2022).
2.2.3 Initiatives
for ensuring good governance in Union Parishad through people’s participation
From a
localism perspective, Lawton and Macaulay (2014) conducted a study on how
people’s participation enhances good governance in local government. The
authors articulate that people’s participation is a crucial factor in local
integrity and governance. The study was conducted by following a case study in the
United Kingdom, whereas the findings indicate that standards committees
influenced the procedures and practices of local integrity governance via the
active participation of local people. In fact, the authors say that standards
committees are essential for getting people involved locally and making
governance better. However, the authors did not clarify the dimension of
different avenues of people’s participation regarding enhancing good governance
(Lawton & Macaulay, 2014). Besides, Poto
and Fornabaio (2017) describe a study on the importance of people’s
participation as the key factor in enhancing good governance. In particular,
the authors depict the context of the global good governance dimension in terms
of increasing indigenous people's involvement in the environmental governance
process. The study was carried out by following the case study method, whereas
the findings reveal the implication of new technologies in people’s
participation as well as decision-making. In addition, the findings of the study
recommend that easier access to information, greater engagement, and new forms
of involvement, peaceful resolution, and environmental preservation may boost
the participation of indigenous peoples in the process of strengthening good
governance. However, the authors ignored the issue of people’s participation in
local government in terms of enhancing good governance (Poto & Fornabaio, 2017). Similarly, Hao
et al. (2022) argue that civic education can enhance the consolidation of
public consciousness in the governance process. Besides, the authors recommend
that, since the Office of Public Engagement Rapporteur (OPP) plays a
commendable role in collecting people's and leaders' perspectives, establishing
the OPP can increase people's participation in the governance process (Hao et al., 2022).
Correspondingly,
Mohammed (2018) says that administrative and political development in
Bangladesh has been slowed down by poor governance and weak institutions, but
that political education, training, public participation, fair and efficient
resource distribution, the credibility of the relationships between the
different actors in central and local governance, and the central government's
responsiveness to citizen demands and priorities can all play important roles
in terms of enhancing good governance in Bangladesh (Asaduzzaman, 2008).
2.2.4 Identification of the
Research Gap
Throughout
the literature review, it has been found that no particular study has been
conducted yet to explore the avenues of people’s participation in local
government in terms of ensuring good governance. The author contemplates that
although these studies predominantly focused on the general aspect of good
governance and people's participation, there is a glaring lack of studies that
can serve as a model for elucidating the factors that enhance the sustained
level of good governance through people's participation in local government. Also,
it has been found that most of the studies that have been done in the past have
either looked at issues of good governance or looked at issues of people's
participation. However, no study has yet been done to look at how people's
participation in local government institutions in Bangladesh affects good
governance. Therefore, this study focuses on the people’s participation in
rural local government to identify the avenues of their participation for
enhancing good governance in Bangladesh.
3. Operational Definitions
3.1.1
Governance
The strategy, tactics, process, procedure, or program for controlling, regulating, shaping, mastering, or exercising authority over a nation is called governance (Rose, 1999). Also, governance refers to how people are ruled, how the affairs of the state are administered and regulated, and how this functions in relation to public administration and law (Abrahamsen, 2014).
3.1.2 Good Governance
The term "good governance" refers to the application of economic, political, and administrative authority to manage a country's affairs and ensure that its citizens meet their legal rights and responsibilities via a variety of processes (legal process), mechanisms (accountability, transparency, efficiency, and the rule of law), and organizations (judicial institutions and law enforcement agencies) (Roy & Tisdell, 1998).
3.1.3.Participation
Participation is the process through which individuals’ influence and share power over development activities (Bishop & Davis, 2002).
3.1.4 People’s Participation
People's participation may be described as the synergistic activity of individuals and local government institutions (LGI) to increase awareness and effect change in the implementation of local development programs and amenities (Blair, 2000). It involves the efficient operation of the administrative apparatus by the populace. It makes the government responsive to the people's demands. Additionally, it garners popular support for government initiatives and ensures their success. In addition, it is a significant tool of imposing administrative responsibility (Marume et al., 2016).
3.1.5 Local Government
Local government refers to the governance structure within a certain geographic region (G. S. Hasan, 2019). In addition, the local government is a public institution empowered to select and implement a restricted range of public policies within a relatively small area, which is subdivided by a regional or national government (Siddiqui & Ahmed, 2016). The current form of local administration in Bangladesh is solely the consequence of alterations brought about by successive governments. The constitution of Bangladesh retains the provision of elected representative bodies with the authority to set budgets, manage finances, levy taxes, and execute plans for public services and economic growth at all administrative levels (G. S. Hasan, 2019).
3.1.6 Union Parishad
The Union Parishad is the lowest administrative entity in Bangladesh that provides services to the doorsteps of its inhabitants. In accordance with the terms of the Act, a union's jurisdiction consists of nine wards, i.e thirteen members, including one chairman, nine elected members, and three female members from reserved seats (Nipu, 2021).
3.1.7 Avenues of People’s Participation in Union Parishad
There are six ways for people to participate in local government, including open budget sessions (open pre and final budget meetings), Ward Shaba (consisting of each ward's voters), village court (consisting of a chairman and four members), standing committees (13 committees on specific functional matters), local elections (held every five years), access to information (the right to obtain the information), etc. (Uddin, 2019).
3.1 Research Method
Research methodology refers
to the process of analytical design of a study to certify legal and trustworthy
results that address the research goals and purposes (Jansen & Warren, 2020). It is essential for any research to
define the process involved in designing a study and to validate how the
specific research design that a researcher decides to use helps to arrange the
collection, analysis, and interpretation of data (Andrews, 2019). However, the
proposed study has been conducted using a quantitative approach.
3.2 Research Design
In this regard, research design is one of the principal
sections of any research that validates the nature of research, appropriate
research process, sampling design, data collection processes, and data analysis
procedures (Nayak, 2009). As well, the authors articulate that a
research design consists of research philosophy, the tactic to theory
expansion, research strategies, methodological choice, time horizon, and
ethical considerations, etc. (Saunders et al., 2019).
However, the
study has been conducted on the basis of the positivism philosophy, where an
exploratory research approach has been applied. Besides, a quantitative
approach is applied to collect survey data. In particular, survey data has been
collected from the local people who belong to the selected Union Parishad in
Bangladesh. Open and close-ended questions were applied to collecting survey
data. Finally, data has been analyzed by using MS Excel and SPSS software.
3.3
Study Location and Sample Design
A
totality of 60 respondents have been participated from the inhabitants of two
specific Union Parishads (Trishal and Osmanpur Union) of Trishal Upazilla and
Kuliarchar Upazila. The following table demonstrates the sample size of the
study.
The principal purpose of data analysis is to extract
worthwhile information for decision-makers (Ali & Bhaskar, 2016). Since the
study was conducted based on a quantitative approach, the collected data was
organized characteristically and the coding activities were done manually.
Prepared data has been analyzed statistically with data analysis software
"MS Excel" and "SPSS" (Statistical Package for the Social
Sciences) and presented in the report accordingly.
3.5 Ethical
Consideration
Generally, the
application of ethical rules and codes with a view to collecting data,
scrutinizing data, formulating reports, and exposing reports in terms of
research work is called research ethics (Encyclopedia, 2021). In this context, this research was systematically connected
to the ethical doctrines of social responsibility (Banaszkiewicz, 2013). Due to the in-depth nature of the study
process, ethical considerations have a certain significance. Therefore, to
ensure the balance between the probable threats of research and the possible
benefits of research, all ethical issues have been maintained
strictly. Thus, this research has been conducted by sustaining research
ethics. In particular, voluntary involvement, privacy, consent before
interviews, and surveys, as well as respondents’ confidentiality (Yip et al., 2016), have been conserved strictly. As well, the researcher of this study
follows a no-harm policy where no participants, entities, or groups belonging
to any section have been abused in any way. To be specific, in this research,
individual evidence, interviews, and opinions of the respondents have been
concealed to safeguard the respondents’ sanctuary and security.
Demographic
data is considered significant information in any study since it reveals the
overall status and conditions of the participants. However, in Chapter 4, the
demographic information of the respondents is illustrated by evaluating gender,
age, and profession.
The
demographic characteristics of this research were measured by gender, age,
education, and the respondents' profession (table 1). Gender distribution
showed that there were more male respondents (n = 51, 85%) than females (n = 9,
15%). The majority of the respondents were aged between 31 and 40 (n = 31,
51.7%). Besides, most of the respondents were less knowledgeable, i.e.
illiterate (n = 28, 46.7%), whereas merely 21.7% (n = 13) were knowledgeable
and 8.3% (n = 5) had a higher educational background. In addition, most of the
respondents were involved in business professions (n = 24, 40%) and day
laborers (n = 14, 23.3).
4.2 Understanding of participation avenues
Figure 2: Understanding of Participation Avenues (Source: Field Survey, 2020)
The above bar chart (figure 2) shows how much people in Bangladesh know about the different avenues they can take part in local government to improve good governance. According to the survey data, it was discovered that 100% of the population was aware of their right to access information (n =60, 100%), while the majority of people were familiar with local government (n = 51, 85%), Ward Shaba (n = 52, 87%), and village court (n = 59, 98%). Conversely, the majority of people were unfamiliar with the UP standing committee (n = 57, 95%), open budget meeting (n = 47, 78%), and Union Parishad act (n = 50, 83%). These statistics imply that half of the total rural population is unaware of their entitlement to take part in various avenues aimed at promoting good governance and strengthening local government in Bangladesh.
4.3 Participation of respondents in the different avenues of local government
The following
bar chart (figure 3) illustrates the participation of respondents in the
different avenues of local government in Bangladesh. Based on the survey, it
found that the majority of the respondents participated in the local government
election (n = 55, 92%) and village court activities (n
= 27, 45%). People's participation in the pre-open budget meeting (n = 59,
98%), final open budget meeting (n = 59, 98%), Ward Shaba (n = 57, 95%), and
standing committee (n = 58, 97%), on the other hand, was frustrating.
Figure
3: Participation of
Respondents in the Different Avenues of Local Government (Source: Field Survey, 2020)
However, these statistics imply that most of the rural people do not participate in the Ward Shaba meetings, UP standing activities, and open budget meetings, which create colossal challenges in terms of ensuring good governance in Bangladesh.
4.4 The importance of voter turnout in the UP election to ensure good governance
Figure 4: The importance of voter
turnout in the UP election to ensure good governance (Source: Field Survey, 2020)
In terms of assessing the importance of voter turnout in the UP election to ensure good
governance, the above bar chart (figure 4) demonstrates the perception of rural
people. According to the survey data, it was found that 100% of the respondents
(n =60, 100%) argued that in terms of ensuring good governance in Bangladesh,
there is no alternative way to ensure people’s participation in the governance
process except through local government elections.
4.5
Public participation in open budget meetings is essential to ensure good
governance
Figure 5: Public participation in
open budget meetings is essential to ensure good governance
(Source: Field Survey, 2020)
The above pie
chart reveals the necessity of people’s participation in the open budget
meeting to ensure good governance in Bangladesh. According to the survey, it
was found that a majority of the respondents (n = 46, 77%) argued that people’s
participation in the open budget meeting is essential to ensure good governance
in Bangladesh, whereas only a small group of people (n = 3, 5%) overruled this
opinion.
4.6 The importance of
citizen engagement in Ward Shaba to ensure good governance
The following line chart (figure 6)
demonstrates the importance of citizen engagement in Ward Shaba with regard to
ensuring good governance in Bangladesh. According to the survey data, it was
found that a majority of the respondents (n = 45, 75%) believe that people’s
participation in Ward Shaba is an important mechanism to ensure good governance
in Bangladesh. Conversely, a small group of people (n = 11, 18%) argued that
only people’s participation in the Ward Shaba wouldn’t ensure good governance
in Bangladesh.
Figure
6: The importance of citizen engagement in Ward Shaba to ensure good governance
(Source: Field Survey, 2020)
4.7
Existing status of the village court regarding ensuring good governance
Figure
7: Existing status of the village court regarding ensuring good governance
(Source: Field Survey, 2020)
The above pie chart shows the existing status of village court
performances in terms of ensuring good governance in Bangladesh. Based on the
survey results, it was found that a large group of respondents (n = 57, 95%)
articulate that village court plays an imperative role in terms of carrying out
good governance activities through people’s participation in the local
government institution in Bangladesh.
Although
a minor group (n = 3, 5%) debates about this issue, it seems right that the
village court plays a praiseworthy role in terms of enhancing good governance
in rural areas in Bangladesh.
4.8 The social problems
may be resolved by the village court
Figure
8: The social problems may be resolved by the village court (Source: Field Survey, 2020)
In terms of addressing social issues,
village courts play a noteworthy role in rural areas in Bangladesh. According
to the above line chart (figure 8), it was found that the majority of the respondents
(n = 56, 93%) believe that village court is an essential mechanism in local
government institutions to fix the social issues that also play a substantial
role in promoting good governance in Bangladesh. In contrast, a small minority
(n = 3, 5%) criticizes the role of the village court in promoting good
governance in Bangladesh.
4.9 Participation of
the populace in village court is essential for ensuring good governance
Similarly, the following bar chart
(figure 9) highlights the importance of people’s participation in village court
in terms of ensuring good governance in Bangladesh. According to the survey
data, a large group of respondents (n =59, 98%) believe that people’s
participation in village court activities can certainly play an important role
in terms of promoting good governance in Bangladesh. Since village court
activities are open to all, the respondents trust on its performance regarding
enhancing good governance in Bangladesh.
Figure 9: Participation of the populace in village court is essential for ensuring good governance (Source: Field Survey, 2020)
4.10 Participation of the public in the UP Standing Committee is essential to implement good governance
Figure 10: Participation of the
public in the UP Standing Committee is essential to implement good governance (Source: Field Survey, 2020)
The above pie chart (figure 10) depicts the significance of the people’s
participation in the UP standing committee in terms of ensuring good governance
in Bangladesh. Based on the survey results, a large group of homogeneous
respondents (n = 41, 68%) articulate that participation of the rural community
in the UP Standing Committee is indispensable to promote good governance in
Bangladesh. Remarkably, it was found that around 22% (n = 13) of the
respondents did not say anything on these issues, although a small group of
respondents (n = 6, 10%) thought that people’s participation in the UP standing
committee is not effective in terms of enhancing good governance in Bangladesh.
4.11
Necessity of accessing people’s participation in information for enhancing good
governance
Figure
11: Necessity of accessing people’s participation in information for enhancing
good governance (Source:
Field Survey, 2020)
The above bar chart (figure 11)
demonstrates the importance of people’s participation in A2I (access to information) in terms
of enhancing good governance in Bangladesh. According to the survey results,
100% of the respondents (n = 60, 100%) believe that people’s access to
information ensures the transparency of government services, which may accelerate
the practice of good governance at the grass root level in Bangladesh.
4.12 Respondent has
difficulties getting information
Figure
12: Respondent has difficulties getting information
(Source: Field Survey, 2020)
The above bar
chart (figure 12) shows whether citizens face challenges in terms of accessing
a2i. According to the survey data, almost half of the respondents (n = 17, 28%)
face challenges in terms of accessing A2I for their required information.
Although the majority of respondents stated that they have easy access to the A2I,
the reality varies depending on the nature of the information. In this regard,
the limitations behind access to A2I may limit the practice of good governance
in Bangladesh.
4.13
The gap between policy formulation and implementation
Figure
13: The
gap between policy formulation and implementation (Source: Field Survey, 2020)
The above pie chart (figure 13)
illustrates the gap between policy formulation and implementation regarding people’s
participation and ensuring good governance in Bangladesh. This is the most
important finding of the study. According to the survey data, a majority of the
respondents (n = 40, 65%) contemplate that there is a comprehensive gap between
policy formulation and implementation in terms of ensuring people’s
participation and good governance in local government in Bangladesh. This
statistic clearly implies that regarding ensuring good governance in
Bangladesh, the gap between policy formulation and implementation should be
addressed in a proper way.
4.14 Awareness of the right to Information Act (2009) among the public
Figure
14: Awareness of the right to information act (2009) among the public
(Source: Field Survey, 2020)
The above bar chart (figure 14)
illustrates the public awareness of the right to information act (2009) in
Bangladesh. Based on the survey results, it was found that 20% of the
respondents (n =12, 20%) were unaware of the right to information act (2009). Although
the findings show that the majority of the respondents (n = 27, 45%) were aware
of the right to information act (2009), they didn’t know how to obtain
information from the concerned authorities. Astonishingly, a large group of
respondents (n = 21, 35%) did not provide their opinion on this issue.
4.15
Effective strategy that can ensure
people’s participation as well as good governance
Figure
15: Effective strategy that can ensure
people’s participation as well as good governance (Source: Field Survey, 2020)
This is another of the most significant
findings of this study. The above bar chart (figure 15) reveals the significant
strategy that can eliminate the issues of people’s participation as well as
ensure good governance in Bangladesh. Based on the survey results, it was found
that the majority of respondents (n = 28, 46.7%) believe that people's
education could be the best and most effective strategy to reduce the gap
between policy formulation and implementation in Bangladesh. Similarly, a minor
group of respondents argues that implementation of the law (n = 7, 11.7%) and
people’s awareness (n = 9, 15%) can be the best strategy in terms of ensuring
people’s participation and good governance in Bangladesh. In this vein, around
26.7% of the respondents (n =16, 26.7%) articulate that people’s awareness,
law, and education together can be the best method to ensure people’s
participation and good governance in Bangladesh.
4.16
Discussion of the study
The principal aim of this study was to explore the practice of people's participation in local government institutions (Union Parishad) in terms of ensuring good governance in Bangladesh. In this context, the authors played a noteworthy role in exploring the study's main objectives. Based on the survey data, it was found that most of the rural people had no idea about the different avenues of people's participation in local government. In particular, the majority of the population was unaware of their rights regarding participating in different avenues of local government. Even, most of the respondents did not participate in the Ward Shaba activities, UP standing committees’ activities, open budget meetings, citizen charters, etc. Conversely, it was found that only an expected group of people participated in the village court activities and local government elections. In this context, the authors argue that without sustaining the participation of people in different avenues (i.e., Ward Shaba, UP standing committee, open budget meeting, village court, local government election, and citizen charter), local government institutions would fail to ensure good governance in Bangladesh. The authors speculate that the main reasons behind the majority of people’s unawareness are poor educational background and a lack of self-interest. According to the findings, the author, therefore, suggests that the central government, as well as concerned authorities, should ensure the people’s equitable participation in the different avenues in terms of ensuring good governance in Bangladesh.
Good governance
refers to a process of assuring government commitment and establishing a system
that safeguards civil liberties and human rights, reduces corruption, considers
the perspectives of all people, especially minorities, and increases
transparency as well as government accountability. This study sought to explore
how people’s participation strengthens good governance in the field of
administration in Bangladesh. In particular, the findings of the study
demonstrate the different avenues of people’s participation in the field
administrative units and the current status of people’s participation regarding
enhancing good governance at the grassroots level in Bangladesh. According to
the survey data, it has been observed that most of the rural people were
unaware of local government acts, UP standing committees, and open budget
meetings, which limit the scope of their participation in different avenues of
local government. Despite the fact that many rural residents were aware of the
UP's operations, those of the UP village court, rights to access information,
and Ward Shaba activities, they were nevertheless denied access to the basic
services provided by the field administrative units in Bangladesh. Since
people’s participation is the precondition of ensuring good governance,
concerned authorities must strengthen the local people’s participation in
decision-making in the different avenues through incorporating effective
mechanisms, i.e., ensuring public awareness, citizen charter, and the
application of the rule of law. Based on analyzing the findings, the author
makes a number of recommendations to increase public engagement in local
government organizations and advance good governance in Bangladesh.
First
and foremost, since most rural people are unaware of
their participation rights, local government units should make the appropriate
efforts to increase public awareness of their participation rights in different
local government avenues.
Secondly,
to encourage people's engagement in different avenues of local government,
local government officials should restrict grouping, nepotism, and rural
provocative political activities.
Thirdly,
concerned authorities should provide a conducive environment for rural people's
participation in Ward Shaba, the UP standing committee, the financial budget
session, and the village court.
Fourthly,
in order to increase local government competency, central-local ties, and
effective people's participation in Bangladesh, current patron-client
relationships in local government institutions should be balanced
Fifthly,
all loopholes in the local government legislation should be minimized in order
to reduce corruption in local government organizations and encourage rural
people to participate in various avenues.
Sixthly,
local government authorities' collaboration, synchronization, and
professionalism should be strengthened to achieve good governance by assuring
people's participation in field administrative units.
Seventhly, to solve the issue of people's
participation in field administrative units in Bangladesh, the financial
autonomy of local government organizations should be reinforced.
Eighthly, local government bodies should ensure
the transparency of all their activities so that people's trustworthiness can
enhance on local government's performance. In this regard, transparency of
local government activities would boost good governance practices in
Bangladesh.
Last but not least, to encourage citizen participation in the different avenues of local government, the central administration should ensure that the field administrative bodies are effectively monitored.
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Appendices
Abbreviation Elaboration
UP Union
Parishad
LG Local
Government
LGI Local
Government Institution
OPP Office
of Public Engagement Rapporteur
SPSS Statistical Package for the
Social Sciences
VC Village
Court
A2I Access
to Information
GG Good
Governance
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