The High Court has sought explanations from the government over whether candidates seeking election as Union Parishad chairman should be required to possess at least a graduate degree.
A bench comprising Justice Ahmed Sohel and Justice Fatema Anwar issued the rule after holding a preliminary hearing on a writ petition submitted by two lawyers of the Supreme Court.
The court asked why Section 26 of the Local Government (Union Parishads) Act, 2009, which fails to prescribe any minimum educational qualification for the office of Union Parishad chairman, should be declared consistent with the Constitution.
The secretaries of the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives and the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, along with the Chief Election Commissioner, have been directed to respond to the rule.
The writ petition was filed by Supreme Court lawyers Quazi Ferdousul Hasan and Md Tanvir Ahmed Khan.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Quazi Ferdousul Hasan said, "The petition challenges the absence of any educational requirement for Union Parishad chairmen despite the significant responsibilities attached to the position.”
He noted that a Union Parishad chairman is authorised to oversee village courts, where certain disputes involving claims of up to Tk 300,000 can be dealt with.
The lawyer argued that judicial officers exercising comparable legal authority are required to complete a law degree and qualify through the Bangladesh Judicial Service Commission examination before taking up their roles.
He said, "The petition therefore seeks judicial intervention to introduce a minimum educational requirement of a graduate degree for anyone contesting the post of Union Parishad chairman.”
The High Court’s rule marks the latest legal examination of eligibility requirements for elected local government representatives. The matter will now proceed after the authorities concerned submit their responses to the court.
