EC begins reviewing local election laws before ‘October polls’

The commission may finalise changes to the Union council election code of conduct

The Election Commission (EC) has begun reviewing laws governing local government elections as it moves to amend the legal framework ahead of the polls.

It may also finalise proposed changes to the Union council election code of conduct.

The meeting began on Tuesday morning at the Election Building in Agargaon, presided over by Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin.

Assistant Director of Public Relations Ashadul Haque said Election Commissioners Abdur Rahmanel Mashud, Anwarul Islam Sarker, Begum Tahmida Ahmed and Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah, along with relevant EC officials, were attending the meeting.

Election officials said discussions would focus on proposals to recommend amendments to the laws governing city corporations, municipalities, Upazilas, district councils and Union councils.

The revised Union council code of conduct may also be approved.

Election Commissioner Mashud has already said the proposed amendments would bar teachers of MPO-enlisted educational institutions, dual citizens, loan defaulters and guarantors of defaulted loans from contesting in local government elections.

The proposals also include raising candidates' security deposits and scrapping the existing requirement for independent candidates to collect signatures from 1 percent of voters.

The EC is finalising the legal framework with a view to starting local government elections in October.

Union council and municipal polls are likely to be held first.

The final voter list is due on Aug 31, after which the election schedule may be announced.