Prevents the cell division inhibition by proteins MinC and MinD at internal division sites while permitting inhibition at polar sites. This ensures cell division at the proper site by restricting the formation of a division septum at the midpoint of the long axis of the cell. In a minCDE operon disruption (minC-minD-minE), cells divide not only at midpoint but also at their poles, yielding small minicells and long rods. Loss of polar localization of several polar-localized proteins including GroEL-GroES, TnaA and YqjD. Belongs to the MinE family.