EC bans posters, rallies in Upazila Parishad elections
Graphics: Agamir Somoy
Election Commission (EC) has banned several activities, including pasting posters and holding rallies, in the upcoming Upazila Parishad elections. If the ban is violated, candidacy may be canceled.
Election Commission Senior Secretary Akhter Ahmed confirmed the matter and published the gazette on 3 September. EC has issued almost identical codes of conduct for other local government elections, including Union Parishad, Municipality, City Corporation, and District Council.
In the new rules, restrictions have also been imposed on the use of helicopters for election campaigning, receiving government facilities, and circulating misleading or malicious content using artificial intelligence (AI).
The new rules have also imposed controls on the campaigning style and expenditure of candidates and their supporters in the Upazila Parishad elections. Provisions have been kept to cancel the candidacy of the candidate if allegations of violating the election code of conduct are proven, reports BSS.
A provision has also been kept for a maximum of six months of imprisonment and a fine of Tk 50,000, or both, in case of violating the rules.
One of the major changes in the new code of conduct is banning posters. No candidate or other person on their behalf can use posters for election campaigning. Restrictions will also remain on using campaign materials on buildings, walls, trees, fences, electric poles, government structures, bridges, and culverts, among other places.
From the announcement of the schedule until the publication of the election results in a gazette, there will be no opportunity to hold public rallies. Rallies or processions cannot be held using various vehicles, including trucks, buses, motorcycles, water vessels, and trains. Using helicopters or any other aircraft for election campaigning has also been banned.
However, opportunities have been kept for campaigning on social media and digital platforms. Before starting such campaigning, the candidate must inform the returning officer about which platforms will be used. The money spent on social media campaigning will also be included in the election expense accounts.
Special provisions have also been kept to prevent the abuse of AI in digital campaigning. No candidate or anyone on their behalf can propagate false, misleading, malicious, or personal attacking statements.
Creating or propagating content that can damage the election environment is also banned. Such fake or misleading content cannot be created or propagated using AI.
There is also a ban on giving money, food, drinks, or gifts to influence voters. Election campaigning cannot be conducted in religious places of worship, educational institutions, and government offices.
The abuse of religion, use of muscle power, or slanderous or personal character assassination campaigns against any candidate will also be banned. No candidate can run an election campaign using government facilities either.
The use of government vehicles, propaganda machinery, or any other government assets for election work is banned. Similarly, restrictions will apply to the participation of government officials, employees, and important individuals in election campaigning.
On the election day, there will also be no opportunity to hire or use vehicles to transport voters to and from the polling centers. In the case of setting up camps outside the designated limits and using microphones in election campaigning, specific rules in the code of conduct must be followed.
If it appears to the EC that any candidate or their election agent has violated or attempted to violate the code of conduct, the matter can be investigated and action can be taken. If allegations are proven, EC can cancel the candidacy of the candidate in serious cases.
Exceeding the election expenditure limit, influencing voters with money or muscle power, and conducting election campaigns using government facilities will be considered punishable offenses.
