There is no requirement for any educational qualification to contest local government elections, LGRD State Minister Mir Shahe Alam said today.

“The five laws governing our local government system do not impose any educational qualification as a requirement for contesting local government elections,” he said while speaking to reporters at the Secretariat amid discussions on social media about introducing such a requirement.

He said the requirement does not apply to union parishad, upazila, municipality or city corporation elections.

“So, those who intend to contest the upcoming local government elections should not be confused about this,” he added.

Responding to another question, Shahe Alam said there was also no educational qualification requirement for becoming a member of parliament either.

“I became an MP, and I did not have to provide any educational qualification in the form because there is no such requirement in the law or the Constitution,” he said.

He said imposing such a requirement could amount to a violation of human rights, as a person could be a social worker without formal education or could be self-educated.

On MPO-listed teachers contesting local government polls, Shahe Alam said existing laws disqualify anyone holding a remunerative public office. The Election Commission determines the election rules and the qualifications and disqualifications of candidates, he added.