The Election Commission (EC) today finalised a set of recommendations to amend laws governing the country's five tiers of local government ahead of the upcoming local government elections.
"The amendment of laws is a legal matter. We will send our proposals to the Local Government Division. If they find them appropriate, they will act accordingly. Finalising laws is not within our jurisdiction," EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said while speaking to reporters at the EC headquarters in Agargaon after the commission's 12th meeting this evening.
He added that the recommendations would also serve as the basis for revising the electoral code of conduct for local government elections.
The recommendations include incorporating the armed forces into the definition of law enforcement agencies; disqualifying MPO-listed teachers, dual citizens, loan defaulters and guarantors from contesting local polls; and barring individuals holding offices of profit from participating in the elections.
The commission also decided that national identity cards (NIDs) should be renewed every 15 years on payment of a nominal fee.
It further said plans were underway to issue NIDs to those under the age of 15, although the minimum eligibility age would be determined later.
On the proposal to include the armed forces in the definition of law enforcement agencies, Akhtar Ahmed said, "We have decided to propose incorporating the armed forces into all local government laws, just as the Representation of the People Order does."
Asked when the schedule for the local government elections would be announced, he said, "The day the schedule is fixed, you will know within five minutes. Preparations for local government elections are ongoing."
Responding to a question on whether the polls would begin with union parishads or city corporations, the official said the matter had not been discussed at the meeting and that he had no information on the issue.
He also said there had been no discussions with the government regarding the timing of the local government elections.
