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Download PDF The Election Commission (EC) this week will instruct the law enforcement agencies and returning officers (RO) to file criminal cases against violators of the code of conduct for August 4 polls.
It will also direct the officials engaged in election duties to lodge complaints with local criminal courts against breach of electoral rules, said sources in the EC Secretariat, referring to the draft of the instructions that are likely to be issued in a day or two.
Individuals or contestants too can make complaints with the criminal courts or local police stations, added the sources.
EC Secretariat officials said the EC will go for strict enforcement of the code of conduct from July 14, the day set for formal electioneering to begin with relaxation of the state of emergency in the four city corporations and nine municipalities going to polls.
According to the electoral rules, an individual might lose candidature in addition to being sentenced to imprisonment and fined for violating the code of conduct.
The EC Secretariat is now drafting a circular containing the instructions.
In the circular, the EC will ask the ROs to form an adequate number of vigilance teams to enforce the electoral code of conduct.
It will also advise the ROs and assistant returning officers to form a coordination cell to make sure the law enforcement bodies function smoothly.
In the new ordinance on city corporation and municipality, police, Ansar, Battalion Ansar, Bangladesh Rifles, coastguard, army, navy and air force are defined as law enforcement agencies.
As per the new election rules promulgated by the EC, the defence forces on election duty are authorised to arrest anyone without warrant for violation of electoral laws on the polling day. Before, only the police would enjoy the power.
According to the electoral code of conduct, city corporation and municipality polls are non-partisan and candidates are not allowed to use their political affiliations, party names and portraits of any leader in election campaigns.
Besides, there are some restrictions on using posters and writing on walls.
The electoral code of conduct took effect automatically with announcement of the polls schedule on June 20.
But the commission deliberately ignored the political parties’ involvement in nominations so that there’s an atmosphere for elections.
Once the deadline for withdrawing candidature is over on July 13, the ROs might be asked to convene a meeting and ask the candidates to abide by the code of conduct.
MAYORAL DEBATES
For the first time, the EC will organise four electoral debates to give the mayoral candidates an opportunity to speak about their plans and policies.
Voters will be allowed to participate in the debates and ask the contenders questions about local issues and problems.
State-run BTV and radio will broadcast the events live from respective city corporation, sources in the EC Secretariat said.
The first one will be held in Sylhet City Corporation (SCC) on July 15. Chief Election Commissioner ATM Shamsul Huda and two other election commissioners–Muhammed Sohul Hussain and Brig Gen (retd) M Sakhawat Hussain–are expected to attend the opening debate.
The debate in Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) is scheduled for July 21, Khulna City Corporation (KCC) July 26 and Barisal City Corporation (BCC) on July 30.
The number of mayoral candidates in SCC stands at 21, in RCC 18, in KCC 15 and in BCC 14.
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