Dhaka, April 21 -- The Local Government Reform Commission has recommended an overhaul of the electoral process, suggesting the removal of direct voting for mayors and chairmen.

Instead, it proposed that only councillors or members be elected directly.

The commission has also proposed that elections for all five tiers of local government be held on the same day under a unified schedule, aiming to save time and costs.

According to the recommendation, a unified 40-day election schedule would be issued, dividing the country into geographical zones.

Voters in each zone would select representatives for all local bodies on the same day.

In its report, published on Sunday, the commission proposed replacing the current separate laws for each ...