Bangladesh Election Commission Finalizes Recommendations for Local Government Law Amendments

Bangladesh's Election Commission (EC) has concluded a set of recommendations aimed at amending laws governing the country's five tiers of local government in preparation for upcoming elections. The proposals will be submitted to the Local Government Division for consideration.

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The amendment of laws is a legal matter. We will send our proposals to the Local Government Division. If they find them appropriate, they will act accordingly. Finalising laws is not within our jurisdiction.

Senior EC Secretary Akhtar Ahmed stated that finalizing laws falls outside the commission's jurisdiction but confirmed the recommendations would also inform revisions to the electoral code of conduct for local government elections. Among the significant proposals is the inclusion of the armed forces within the definition of law enforcement agencies. The EC also recommends disqualifying individuals such as MPO-listed teachers, dual citizens, and loan defaulters from running in local polls. Furthermore, those holding offices of profit would be barred from participating.

The commission also addressed identity card regulations, deciding to propose renewing national identity cards (NIDs) every 15 years for a nominal fee. Plans are also in motion to issue NIDs to individuals under the age of 15, though the minimum age requirement is yet to be determined.

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We have decided to propose incorporating the armed forces into all local government laws, just as the Representation of the People Order does.

Regarding the inclusion of armed forces in law enforcement definitions, Akhtar Ahmed explained that the proposal aims to incorporate them into all local government laws, mirroring the Representation of the People Order. When questioned about the announcement of election schedules, he indicated that the public would be informed promptly once dates are fixed, emphasizing that preparations for the local government elections are actively underway. Discussions on whether union parishads or city corporations would hold polls first, or the specific timing of the elections in relation to government discussions, were not part of the EC's meeting agenda.

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The day the schedule is fixed, you will know within five minutes. Preparations for local government elections are ongoing.