Bangladesh is preparing amendments to local government election laws that would bar loan defaulters from contesting even after leaving positions as directors or chairpersons of indebted institutions. The proposals also seek to prohibit dual citizens from running at every local government level and increase penalties for breaches of election rules. The report was published on August 21, 2026.

Authorities are preparing local elections in at least seven phases, beginning with union council polls. Coastal districts including Khulna, Satkhira, Bagerhat, Barishal, Pirojpur, Barguna and Patuakhali are on the priority list for the first phase. Officials are considering December for voting after annual school examinations and aim to complete a major part before SSC examinations begin on January 7.

State Minister Mir Shah Alam said all local government elections are targeted for completion by June next year, with about Tk6,000 crore allocated. Proposed changes include up to six months’ imprisonment and fines of up to Tk50,000 for code violations, revised definitions of dependents and moral-turpitude offences, and rules on profitable posts and election dispute resolution.