'Educational institutions' managing body members cannot contest in national polls'

According to the Representation of the People Order Amendment Ordinance-2025, those who are the president or member of the board of directors of an educational institution will not be able to run for the parliamentary election. In addition, persons holding any position on the managing committee and governing body of all educational institutions, including private schools, colleges, and madrasas, will not be able to run for the election.

Law Ministry published this ordinance in the gazette on Monday (November 3).

Some more new provisions have been added to this ordinance. Court-declared fugitives will not be able to vote this time. After a decade and a half, the armed forces have been included in the definition of law enforcement. The 'no' vote has returned in the single candidate seat. If there is a tie, a re-vote will be held. The candidate of the alliance will have to vote on the symbol of his own party.

The deposit in the election has been set at Tk50,000, and a maximum fine of Tk150,000 can be imposed if the party violates the code of conduct.

Postal voting system will be operational with IT support. If irregularities are detected in the election, the vote of the entire constituency can be canceled. In addition, misuse of AI or providing false information in the affidavit will be considered an electoral crime and action can be taken even after being elected.