EC finalises local poll reform proposals, leaves out Jamaat’s demand

The Election Commission (EC) has finalised its proposed reforms to local government election laws without including Jamaat-e-Islami’s request to bar leaders of the banned Awami League from contesting non-partisan local elections.

The decision was made at a meeting chaired by Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin on Tuesday.

Among the proposed changes, the EC recommended making several groups ineligible to contest local elections. These include MPO-listed teachers, dual citizens, guarantors of defaulted loans, defaulters of electricity, gas, water and land tax bills, and individuals holding profitable government posts.

EC Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said city corporation administrators would have to resign before contesting elections. He also said anyone charge-sheeted by the International Crimes Tribunal would be barred from running.

The commission also gave initial approval to a proposal to include the armed forces in the definition of law enforcement agencies under all five local government election laws. If the changes are approved, the army could be deployed during local elections without separate government orders and would be empowered to exercise police-like authority, including making arrests without a warrant.

The EC will send its recommendations to the Local Government Division. Any changes to the law will require approval from the cabinet and parliament.

Jamaat-e-Islami had submitted seven amendment proposals and two additional recommendations to the commission on June 30 after the EC sought political parties’ opinions on updating local election laws.

SKS