The High Court has issued a rule asking the government to explain why a minimum educational qualification of a bachelor's degree should not be made mandatory for candidates contesting Union Parishad chairman elections.

The bench of Justice Ahmed Sohel and Justice Fatema Anwar also sought an explanation as to why Section 26 of the Local Government (Union Parishad) Act 2009, which does not prescribe any minimum educational qualification for the post, should not be declared inconsistent with the Constitution.

The court issued the rule today (22 July) after a preliminary hearing on a writ petition filed by Supreme Court lawyers Kazi Ferdousul Hasan and Md Tanvir Ahmed Khan.

The secretaries of the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development, and Co-operatives and the Ministry of Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs, along with the chief election commissioner, have been asked to respond to the rule within four weeks.

Speaking to reporters, Ferdousul said Union Parishad chairmen exercise significant statutory powers, including presiding over village courts that can adjudicate disputes involving claims of up to Tk3,00,000.

He noted that magistrates exercising comparable judicial authority are required to hold at least a bachelor's degree and pass the Bangladesh Judicial Service Commission (BJSC) examination, whereas no minimum educational qualification is required for the Union Parishad chairman under the existing law.

"We have challenged Section 26 of the Local Government (Union Parishad) Act, 2009, and sought a direction requiring Union Parishad chairmen to have at least a bachelor's degree," he said.