Dhaka, Dec 25 (bdnews24.com) — Mobile courts will soon be catching those violating the electoral code of conduct during the campaigns for the upcoming municipal polls.
Election commissioner Sohul Hossain told bdnews24.com on Saturday the courts will take immediate action upon receiving any complaints from the commission's vigilance and monitoring teams.
The drive will begin at the constituencies after assigning of voting symbols this week.
The mobile courts, led by executive magistrates, will hand out a maximum of two years imprisonment and Tk 50,000 fine.
"They will file cases with judicial magistrates if more penalties are necessary," Sohul added.
"Campaigns must follow regulations. Special teams from the Election Commission will be observing the campaigns. Any violation will be immediately punished by mobile courts."
EC officials said the deadline for nomination papers withdrawal in Rajshahi and Rangpur divisions is on Dec 26, in Barisal and Khulna Dec 27, in Dhaka Jan 1 and in Sylhet and Chittagong on Jan 2.
The returning officers will assign symbols to candidates a day after the deadline. Conflicts over choosing a symbol will be resolved by lottery.
A violator of local government (municipal) election regulations is punishable from six months up to seven years of imprisonment.
Across the country, 259 municipalities will hold elections on Jan 12, 13, 17, 18 and 27.
More than 16,000 nomination papers were submitted against around 3,500 posts.
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