Dhaka: Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has called upon the Election Commission (EC) to permit private teachers enlisted under the Monthly Pay Order (MPO) scheme to participate in local government elections. The party also urged the EC to prevent leaders and activists of the Awami League, which is currently facing a ban on its activities, from taking part in these elections.
According to United News of Bangladesh, a six-member delegation from Jamaat, led by its Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar, met with Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin and other election officials at the Nirbachan Bhaban in Agargaon. During the meeting, they presented a written list of nine demands and discussed them comprehensively.
Porwar emphasized the importance of allowing MPO-listed teachers to contest local elections, highlighting that there are over 30,000 such teachers in the country who were previously permitted to vote and run in elections. He criticized a recommendation that would disqualify these teachers from contesting, labeling it as discriminatory and contrary to Articles 27 and 28 of the Constitution.
Jamaat’s second demand was to bar leaders and office-bearers of any political party, whose activities have been banned by the government, from participating in local elections. This demand appeared to be directed at the Awami League. Porwar argued that allowing such participation would constitute political activity, which should not be permitted.
Concerns were also raised by Jamaat regarding the political affiliation of recently appointed EC Additional Secretary Shamsul Alam. Porwar noted that Alam’s past involvement with an election-related committee of a political party could question the neutrality of the EC.
Furthermore, Jamaat objected to the appointment of politically affiliated individuals as administrators of various local government bodies. The party expressed fear that these appointments could enable the ruling party to gain an advantage in the upcoming local elections.
Jamaat demanded that individuals who have served as administrators of such institutions be prohibited from contesting in the upcoming elections, even if they resign after the election schedule is announced. Additionally, the party urged the EC to restrict ministers, MPs, and other significant government officials from campaigning in local body polls.