Election campaigns can start on Dec 3

Nominees for the 11th national parliamentary election will be selected on Nov 30, but can only officially begin their campaigns on Dec 3.

The election day will be Dec 23, according to the schedule announced by the Election Commission. The deadline for the applicants to file nominations is Nov 19. They have until Nov 29 to pull out.

There will be 46 days between the announcement of the schedule and the election day and 23 days between the deadline for nominees to withdraw and the election day.

In line with the Representation of the People Order and the election code of conduct, candidates are not allowed to start campaigning before Dec 3, three weeks to the election day.

Asked about the matter, Election Management Joint Secretary Farhad Ahmmed Khan told bdnews24.com: “This time returning officers will approve electoral symbols for the candidates on Nov 30. Once they have received their respective symbols, they will be able to campaign according to the law from Dec 3.”

Candidates cannot start campaigning on Dec 1 or Dec 2, despite receiving their symbols, the election official says.

“The election day is Dec 23. By that account, three weeks before that is Dec 3.”

According to Farhad Ahmed Khan, there had been times in the past when there were as many as 40 days from the deadline for nominee withdrawals and the election day, but the laws governing the duration of the campaign is stricter. At most, there are 21 days for campaigning.

Former Election Commissioner Muhammad Suhul Hussain echoed the comment. At most there can be 21 days for campaigning, he said, so Dec 3 is fine for the start of the campaigns.

“Campaigns usually begin once the symbols have been assigned,” former EC Additional Secretary Jasmine Tuli toldbdnews24.com.

“But if there are more than 21 days left to the election, the campaigns will be deferred. So this time campaigning will be halted for two days after the symbols are assigned.”

Candidates cannot hold any campaign programmes, including meetings, rallies and marches, in the final 48 hours to the election day, she said citing the code of conduct.

EC officials said the early allocation of election symbols was due to the amount of preparation needed for the 300 parliamentary election races. More time is needed to print the ballots, they said, so the symbols are being allocated early.