EC Recommends Barring MPO-Listed Teachers from Contesting Local Government Elections

Bangladesh's Election Commission (EC) has recommended amending existing laws to prevent teachers and staff employed at Monthly Pay Order (MPO)-listed educational institutions from contesting local government elections. The proposal has been forwarded to the government for consideration.

The proposed amendments would revise the eligibility provisions of the laws governing elections to City Corporations, Municipalities, Upazila Parishads, Zila Parishads and Union Parishads. If approved, teachers and employees of MPO-listed institutions would no longer be allowed to contest local elections while remaining in service. They would be required to resign from their posts before becoming candidates.

Election Commission officials said the recommendation aims to eliminate potential conflicts of interest and strengthen administrative neutrality in local government elections, particularly for employees whose institutions receive government financial support.

The proposal has drawn criticism from organisations representing MPO-listed teachers. They argue that teachers, as citizens, enjoy constitutional political rights and that requiring them to resign before contesting elections would unfairly restrict their democratic participation and discourage qualified educators from serving in local government.

The recommendation will take effect only after the proposed legal amendments are approved by the government and enacted through the legislative process. Until then, the existing legal provisions governing the eligibility of MPO-listed teachers to contest local government elections will remain in force.