EC proposes stringent rules for poll campaign

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The Election Commission (EC) yesterday unveiled a set of proposals for introducing stringent provisions in the parliamentary election code of conduct for the political parties and candidates.

The proposals were for strict regulations on holding rallies and processions, sticking posters, graffiti, banners, festoons, caps, construction of archways, gates, illuminating structures and streets and the use of helicopters for election campaigns.

“Prior permission would have to be taken from proper authorities informing the specific time, date and places for holding any procession or meeting for any contesting political party and candidate during the pre-polls period,” said the draft proposals.

According to the draft proposals, the pre-polls period means the time from dissolution of a parliament to the completion of polls and the violation of code of conduct is an offence which is punishable with imprisonment, fine and cancellation of candidatures.

The eighth parliament was dissolved in October last year and polls are to be held by the end of 2008. All sorts of political activities have been banned since the declaration of the state of emergency on January 11.

Once the proposals are made into laws, no political parties would be allowed to bring out processions or hold rallies unless they have prior permission from the authorities.

The draft proposals said the party or the candidate would have to get the permission from the concerned district magistrates or officials authorised by the district magistrates and police commissioners in metropolitan areas.

The draft also recommended imposing a ban on holding rallies and processions that create obstacles to movement of people.

Asked whether such restrictions will hamper the festive mood of parliamentary elections, as it proposes to impose restrictions on even holding rallies and processions at ward levels, Humayun Kabir, secretary to the EC Secretariat, said he would raise the issue before the commission.

The draft proposals also envisage severe restrictions on pasting posters on walls and establishments in the city corporation and municipality areas. None would be allowed to paste posters, leaflets on buses, trucks, steamer and any other vehicles, according to the proposals.

Asked where the political parties and candidates would paste their posters, the EC secretary said they would innovate some ideas. He, however, said any city corporation or municipality might specify places for sticking posters during the election period.

The secretary, who disclosed the proposals in a press briefing, said the proposals were put forward to reduce election expenditures and the possibility of political confrontation during the time of polls.

The draft suggested banning the use of portraits of any national leaders on the posters to be published by the political parties and candidates. Portraits of the party chief, candidates and election symbols could be printed on them, it said but no pictures of processions or programmes could be printed on the posters.

The ban on all sorts of graffiti, banners, festoons, caps, construction of archways, gates and lighting has also been proposed. It recommended a ban on the use of helicopters in election campaigns by political parties and candidates, but it said the party chiefs could use it for their conveyance. There was also a recommendation for banning election campaigns at mosques, temples or any kind of place of worship.

There would be no election campaigns before three weeks of the polls, the proposals said.

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