Election code violations lead to 176 cases, over Tk 1.8mn in fines

Field officers continue daily mobile court operations to keep the election environment “orderly”

Field-level officials of the Election Commission (EC) have lodged 176 cases and imposed fines totalling Tk 1.83 million for violations of the electoral code of conduct in the run-up to the parliamentary polls.

The figures were shared on Tuesday by Md Saiful Islam, member secretary of the central coordination committee for the referendum and the 13th general election, who is also director (operations) of the National Identity Registration Wing (NIDW).

He said enforcement measures, including cases and fines, are being carried out daily to keep the electoral environment “orderly”.

Reports compiled from Jan 8 to Feb 1 show that executive magistrates recorded 275 instances of code violations across 257 electoral constituencies while overseeing compliance and acting on complaints.

Whenever the commission receives a complaint, returning officers, field-level mobile courts, and electoral inquiry committees take immediate action.

These teams are conducting mobile court operations daily to issue fines and initiate proceedings.

Nearly 2,000 candidates are vying for seats in the election, with campaigning allowed until 7:30am on Feb 10.

Polling is scheduled to take place on Feb 12, with voting hours set from 7:30am to 4:30pm.