EC to decide on MPO teachers’ contest in local polls: Shahe Alam

The Election Commission (EC) will decide whether teachers under the Monthly Pay Order (MPO) scheme can contest local government elections, State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Mir Shahe Alam said on Sunday.

Speaking to journalists at the Secretariat on 13 September, the state minister said the EC would consider the relevant laws and the Education Ministry’s MPO policy before making a decision.

He said the EC is responsible for preparing election rules and deciding who can or cannot contest an election.

Under the Union Parishad law, a person cannot contest an election if they hold a full-time paid post with the government, a local authority or a council, he said.

The state minister said the Private Educational Institutions (Schools and Colleges) Manpower Structure and MPO Policy 2025 also describe the post of an MPO-funded teacher as a financially beneficial position.

He referred to Rules 11.17(a) and 11.17(b) of the policy. The rules say MPO teachers cannot hold more than one job or position at the same time. They also define a financially beneficial position as a job that provides salary, allowance or other payment for work.

“Whether MPO-funded teachers can contest the election will be decided by the Election Commission,” Mir Shahe Alam said.

He added that the EC may seek a legal opinion from the Local Government Ministry if it needs more information or clarification. In that case, the ministry will discuss the matter with the Law Ministry.