Dhaka: The Election Commission (EC) will make the final decision on whether teachers from private educational institutions receiving Monthly Pay Order (MPO) facilities can participate in local government elections, as stated by State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development (LGRD) and Co-operatives, Mir Shahe Alam. The announcement was made on Sunday, clarifying the role of the EC in formulating election rules and assessing candidate eligibility.
According to United News of Bangladesh, Shahe Alam emphasized that the EC will evaluate the existing laws and policies of the Ministry of Education to make a decision regarding the participation of MPO-listed teachers in elections. His remarks followed a courtesy meeting between Swiss Ambassador to Bangladesh Reto Renggli and LGRD and Co-operatives Minister Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan at the Secretariat.
Shahe Alam further mentioned that there are no age restrictions for candidates wishing to run in local government elections. The context of his remarks is linked to the EC's recent recommendations for changes to local government laws, which include provisions that could prevent MPO-listed teachers from contesting in elections.
These proposed changes have been met with criticism from opposition parties. Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has called for the EC to revoke the suggested provision that would restrict MPO-listed teachers from running in local government elections.