Ahead of local government elections, the Election Commission (EC) has issued a new code of conduct for union councils, municipalities, city corporations, upazilas, and district councils. While posters have been banned in election campaigns, opportunities have been kept to use banners, leaflets, festoons, and billboards on a limited scale.
On Monday, a gazette containing separate codes of conduct for the five-tier elections was published, signed by EC Secretary Akhtar Ahmed. The new rules have been formulated by repealing the 2016 regulations. Following a decade of party-based elections, local government elections will now be held under non-partisan symbols.
According to the new rules, the use of posters in campaigns will not be permitted. The maximum size of a banner can be 10 feet by 4 feet, leaflets and handbills must be A-4 size, festoons a maximum of 18 by 24 inches, and the promotional part of billboards can be a maximum of 16 feet by 9 feet.
For city corporations and union councils, one billboard can be used per ward; for upazila councils, a maximum of 20 billboards can be used, at the rate of one per union or municipal ward; and for district councils, one billboard can be used per police station or upazila.
Campaign materials must be black-and-white and must bear the date of printing. Polyethylene or PVC cannot be used for festoons and handbills. The length, width, and height of an election symbol cannot exceed six feet. The use of living animals in campaigns is also prohibited.
Microphones or sound amplification devices can be used from 12 PM until sunset. More than one microphone cannot be used simultaneously. Campaigns can also be conducted using caravans or mobile vehicles at the same time. However, there is no scope for using microphones in district council elections.
Although campaigning can be done on social media, the expenses must be included in the election expenditure accounts. Restrictions are also in place against propagating fake information, distorted images, or misleading content using AI.
With the intention of influencing voters, personal NID numbers of voters or their family members cannot be collected. Collecting voters' mobile numbers for the purpose of mobile financial service transactions is also prohibited.
Very important persons, including the Prime Minister, Speaker, ministers, members of parliament, chief whip, leader of the opposition, state ministers, and deputy ministers, are prohibited from participating in campaigns on behalf of candidates. City mayors, administrators, and persons holding responsibilities in local government will also not be able to participate in campaigns.
Violating the code of conduct carries provisions for a maximum imprisonment of six months and fines. The provision for a maximum fine of 10,000 Taka in union council elections remains in force.
In June of this year, the EC published a draft code of conduct and sought opinions from various parties. Later, after reviewing the opinions and vetting by the Ministry of Law, the rules were finalized.
The commission wants to begin local government elections towards the end of this year. Preparations are underway to hold elections in phases for various posts across 4,581 union councils, 61 district councils, 495 upazila councils, 330 municipalities, and 13 city corporations.
