EC to finalise tougher local poll code by early July
The Election Commission (EC) is set to finalise the draft code of conduct for local government elections by the first week of July, introducing stricter regulations similar to those adopted for the upcoming 13th parliamentary election, including the power to cancel a candidate's nomination for serious violations.
The draft rules have been published on the EC's website for public feedback and circulated to all 56 registered political parties.
Stakeholders have until June 30 to submit their opinions, after which the commission will revise the draft and issue it through an official gazette. Unlike previous reforms, the EC will not hold consultations with political parties before finalising the rules.
Separate draft codes have been prepared for city corporations, municipalities, union parishads, upazila parishads and district councils. The revisions follow recent legal amendments requiring local government elections to be held on a non-party basis, replacing the party-based system introduced under the 2016 code.
EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed told Samakal that preparations for the polls were in their final stages. He said the draft could be finalised within a week after receiving stakeholder feedback.
The voter list and polling centre list are almost complete, while procurement of election materials is nearing completion. The EC plans to announce the election schedule in August, with Union Parishad elections likely to begin in October.
The proposed code empowers returning officers to cancel a candidate's nomination immediately for serious breaches of the rules. Campaign hours have been reduced to 12:00 pm until sunset.
Posters will remain banned, while leaflets, banners and festoons will only be allowed if made from biodegradable materials. Digital campaign caravans will also be permitted under strict conditions.
The draft restricts loudspeaker use to one microphone per ward with a maximum sound level of 60 decibels. Candidates must register their social media accounts with returning officers before conducting online campaigns.
AI-generated hate speech, misinformation, manipulated images and fabricated content will be prohibited.
The maximum fine for violating the code in Union Parishad elections has been increased from 10,000 taka to 50,000 taka, while the maximum six-month jail term remains unchanged.
For other local government elections, the existing penalty of up to six months' imprisonment and a 50,000 taka fine has been retained. The draft also limits billboards to a maximum size of 16 feet by 9 feet and prohibits the distribution of voter slips within 400 yards of polling centres.