EC lifts restrictions on MPs’ participation in city corporation election campaign

The Election Commission has approved a code of conduct allowing members of parliament to take part in election campaigns in city corporation polls.

“As parliamentary membership is not an office of profit, MPs will be able to campaign for the candidates in the city corporation elections. That’s why the Election Commission approved an amendment to the electoral code of conduct,” said EC Secretary Helaluddin Ahmed after the commission meeting on Thursday.

He said the commission has proposed to bring 11 different amendments to the city corporation code of conduct, which will be sent to the law ministry for vetting on Sunday.

However, the possibility of implementing the amended code of conduct in the upcoming Gazipur City Corporation election is slim as the polls schedule has already been announced, according to the EC secretary.

“It will remain open for all MPs, not for a particular city corporation. The restrictions were lifted as parliamentary membership is not an office of profit.”

“But MPs will have to resign to contest the city corporation election as a candidate, as per the existing law,” Ahmed said.

Responding to a question, he said the ruling Awami League is also a stakeholder of the EC. The decision has been taken by reviewing its proposals, he said.

“Though the amendment will allow the MPs to take part in the electoral campaign, they will not be able to use any government facility," said the EC secretary.

In the face of the Awami League’s demand, the EC amended the code of conduct for local government elections.