BSS)- State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam has said educational qualification is not mandatory for candidates in local government elections.

“In our five laws related to local government polls, there is no provision of educational qualifications for participating in the elections. So, I urge those wishing to contest the elections not to be misled,” he said.

Shahe Alam said this while talking to journalists following a meeting with the Swiss Ambassador to Bangladesh at the Secretariat here today.

He clarified that there is no mandatory educational requirement for contesting any post in union parishad (UP), upazila parishad, zila parishad, municipality and city corporation elections.

But, the state minister said, there is, of course, an age requirement. To qualify, one must be a registered voter and at least 25 years old.

“Even for members of parliament (MPs), there is no specific educational qualification requirement. I became an MP without needing to declare any educational qualification on the nomination form," he said.

Shahe Alam said since the issue of educational qualification does not arise for lawmakers, we did not include it in the five laws enacted for local government as it will be a violation of the constitution and human rights.

Noting that a social worker might not have formal schooling but could be self-educated, he said someone might not have attended an educational institution but he/she would be talented having knowledge blessed by Almighty Allah.