No campaign before time in Bangladesh municipal polls, says CEC

All billboards and posters put up by possible municipal election candidates will have to be pulled down, says Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad.

He also wants all wall graffiti in support of the aspirants erased.

Elections for 234 municipalities across Bangladesh will be held on Dec 30.

Nominations can be filed until Dec 3 and withdrawn until Dec 13.

Before nominations are finalised, there is no way for anyone to start campaigning, Ahmad said on Tuesday.

"All the billboards and posters have to be pulled down within 48 hours. All graffiti have to be erased. If contestants don’t ensure that, we will have to take action," he said.

"The nominations are yet to be finalised but candidates have already flooded many areas with billboards, posters and wall graffiti. This is not acceptable."

The CEC reminded candidates they could face fines and prison terms, even disqualification, if they did not adhere to the Code of Conduct.

No VIPS for campaign

The chief election commissioner said VIPs holding government positions and government employees were strictly forbidden from campaigning.

"The prime minister, the speaker, ministers and the opposition leaders, city mayors and MPs and others holding similar positions are not allowed to campaign in the municipal polls," he said.

'Level playing field'

Rakibuddin Ahmad said the Election Commission will ensure a 'level playing field' for all candidates and parties.

"That is why he have done up the Code of Conduct all over again. I hope all parties will contest in the municipal polls," he said.

He requested all parties and candidates to 'strictly adhere" to the Code of Conduct.

This is the first time the municipal polls are being held on political party lines.

Mayor candidates have to be nominated by the parties, but the independent candidates willing to contest for that position will need to demonstrate support from at least 100 voters, except those who currently hold that office.

But councillors will not be elected on party lines.

The CEC said the Election Commission was 'totally impartial'.

"During earlier elections, whenever the BNP protested, we promptly checked the allegation from multiple sources including media and took corrective action."

Ahmad assured mediapersons that they would face no problem during the municipal polls.

When some journalists referred to threats and intimidation during the Dhaka City Corporations elections, he said: "Police will not stop any journalist this time but they should carry proper identification papers."

'In a hurry'

"We are in a bit of a hurry because we have so much to finish in such a short time. We had very little to prepare for the municipal elections after the new system was introduced," said CEC Ahmad.

"But that won’t affect the process," he insisted.

The municipal polls could not have been pushed back any further because of a series of examinations between January and March next year, he said.