Revitalising Municipal Governance: The Impact of Deputing Chief Executive Officers in the Municipalities of Bangladesh

Abstract

This article explores the impact of deputing Chief Executive Officers
(CEOs) in the municipalities of Bangladesh and how this strategy has
brought about transformational changes in the governance and
administration of these local government institutions. Initially,
appointing CEOs in municipalities was intended to improve operational
efficiency, increase transparency, and ensure accountability within
local governance structures. But it was challenging to assign the BCS
(Administration) cadre officials in the local representative-led
municipalities. Through a comprehensive analysis of the implementation
process and its outcomes, this article highlights the significant
impacts in service delivery, financial management, and citizen
engagement achieved by such deployment. Drawing on empirical
evidence and case studies, the article demonstrates the effectiveness of
this initiative in revitalizing municipal management and fostering
sustainable development at the grassroots level.