Abstract
THIS PAPER ANALYSES THE LEGISLATION OF A LOCAL GOVERNMENT REFORM PROGRAMME IN BANGLADESH. IN ORDER TO UNDERSTAND THE PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED IN REFORMING LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES LIKE BANGLADESH, IT IS NECESSARY TO CONSIDER THE POLITICAL REALITIES WHICH EXIST AT THE TIME OF INTRODUCING THE REFORMS. A REVIEW OF THE CONDITIONS IN 1980 IS FOLLOWED BY A DISCUSSION OF THE BACKGROUND OF ZIA'S PARTY. THE ACTUAL LEGISLATION WILL BE ANALYSED AGAINST THIS BACKGROUND TO IDENTIFY PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED IN SUCH ATTEMPTS.