As per the Upazila Parishad Act 1998, loan defaulters are not eligible to contest in the poll
The Finance Ministry has asked all banks and other financial institutions to provide information on loan defaulters to disqualify them from contesting in the Upazila Parishad poll slated for February 19.
The Bank and Financial Institution Division of the ministry directed the banks and financial institutions to provide the information to the respective returning officers, by issuing a circular yesterday.
As per the Upazila Parishad Act 1998, loan defaulters are not eligible to contest in the poll.
Any candidate found to have failed to pay a loan instalment on time, would be disqualified regardless of their post, be it the upazila parisad chairman, vice-chairman or a member, said the circular.
It also said the loan defaulters’ information must be submitted within the last date for screening the nomination papers.
The circular says candidates can submit nomination papers for the elections to be held in 102 upazila parisads until January 25 and withdraw until February 3.
Branch managers or authorised officers of respective banks and financial institutions will be responsible for providing any incorrect information and will be penalised, said the circular.
All officers concerned of the banks and financial institutions have been asked to be present at office on government holidays and after regular office hours until the completion of scrutiny of the nominations papers in order to provide the information to the returning officers as per requirement.
Source: Dhaka Tribune