PoliticsJuly 16, 2026

ordinance

/ˈɔːrdɪnəns/

Definition

An authoritative order, decree, or law issued by a government or executive body, typically having the force of law without requiring full legislative process.

Etymology

Derived from the Old French 'ordenance,' meaning 'arrangement' or 'regulation,' which traces back to the Latin 'ordinare,' meaning 'to set in order.' It evolved in English to specifically denote an authoritative command or decree.

In the news

In the article, the interim government used ordinances to legally authorize the mass dismissal of elected local government representatives following the regime change in 2024. This action allowed the administration to quickly restructure local bodies before new elections could be held.

After two tumultuous years, what should the local government polls look like?

Read the full article ↗

The Daily Star

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