Dhaka: State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives, Mir Shahe Alam, has announced that educational qualifications are not mandatory for candidates wishing to participate in local government elections. He emphasized that none of the five laws governing local government elections in Bangladesh include a provision requiring educational qualifications for candidacy. As a result, he urged potential candidates not to be misled by misinformation regarding this matter.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Shahe Alam made these remarks while speaking to journalists after a meeting with the Swiss Ambassador to Bangladesh at the Secretariat. He clarified that the absence of an educational requirement applies to all posts in union parishad, upazila parishad, zila parishad, municipality, and city corporation elections. However, he noted that there is an age requirement; candidates must be registered voters and at least 25 years old to qualify.
The state minister further explained that even for members of parliament (MPs), there is no specific educational qualification requirement. He shared his personal experience, stating that he became an MP without needing to declare any educational qualification on his nomination form. Shahe Alam emphasized that since educational qualifications are not required for lawmakers, they were not included in the laws for local government elections to avoid violating the constitution and human rights.
Highlighting the value of practical knowledge and self-education, Shahe Alam remarked that a social worker might not have formal schooling but could still be well-informed and capable. He acknowledged that someone might not have attended an educational institution but could be talented and knowledgeable, attributing such wisdom to divine blessings.