EC’s drastic change in municipal poll code of conduct

The Election Commission has tightened the code of conduct ahead of the municipal elections, the first civic polls in Bangladesh to be held on party lines.

MPs have been barred from taking part in campaigns while candidates have to notify the police before holding a rally, be it outdoor or indoor.

The commission has already sent a circular to the returning officers for the polls in the 236 municipalities, informing them about the new code of conduct, said EC Deputy Secretary Shamsul Alam.

Candidates will not be allowed to take out processions or hold public rallies for campaigning.

But rallies on streets and those held indoor are allowed.

“Permission for rallies from the local police will have to be obtained at least 24 hours before organising them,” said EC Assistant Secretary Rajib Ahsan.

This new clause has been included after the amendment of the law allowing local government polls on party lines.

The EC has fixed Dec 30 for voting across the 236 municipalities, with Dec 3 as the deadline for filing nominations.

So far, 20 political parties have confirmed participation to the EC.

The electoral code of conduct bars holding rallies in a manner that could obstruct the traffic. It also prohibits the construction of stages or podiums for holding rallies.

Aspirants are barred from taking donations for campaigning. A candidate must not attend meetings of an organisation he or she is a board member of.

Door-to-door campaigns are allowed while megaphone announcements can be done only between 2pm and 8pm during the campaign.

Mayoral candidates nominated by parties can display their party chief’s photographs on posters, but colour posters are not allowed.

Aspirants should not be accompanied by more than five supporters while filing nominations.

Mayor candidates will be allowed to set up five electoral camps while councillors can have only one.

A breach of the code of conduct can compel the concerned political party to pay a fine of up to Tk 50, 000.

Candidates may face a penalty up to Tk 50,000 or six months in jail for violations. The EC also reserves the power to cancel candidature in case of electoral code offence.