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Download PDF The new code of conduct for parliamentary polls will not allow any electioneering until three weeks before the start of polling.
This means political parties and candidates in the December 18 general election will not in any way be able to begin campaign before November 27.
According to the code of conduct, no political parties and candidates will be allowed to organise rallies, processions or any other canvassing activities without permission of district magistrates or police commissioners or officials authorised by them.
The restrictions will apply irrespective of whether the state of emergency is in force or relaxed or withdrawn.
The code set to be announced in gazette in a couple of days will also ban using portraits of national leaders including Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and late president Ziaur Rahman in election posters.
EC Secretariat officials said the code of conduct, awaiting gazette publication at the government press, will take retrospective effect from September 18. That was the day it was assigned a Statutory Rules and Orders number by the law ministry.
It will remain effective until the publication of election results in official gazette.
The codes of conduct for the previous parliamentary elections took effect with the announcement of election schedules.
A violation of the code is punishable with imprisonment for at least six months, fine of Tk 50,000, and even cancellation of candidature in the event of gross irregularities.
With similar restrictions, the code of conduct for the upazila elections slated for December 24 and 28 has already been published in gazette. It will come into force with the announcement of polls schedule.
Election Commissioner Muhammed Sohul Hussain yesterday said the EC will announce schedules for both the polls together in early November.
RESTRICTIONS
With the enforcement of the code of conduct for parliamentary polls, no prospective candidates or anyone on their behalf can donate or promise to donate to charities or other organisations openly or secretly.
None will be allowed to bring out procession or stage showdown during filing candidacy applications.
Processions or any showdowns using buses, trucks, motorcycles, trains, water transports and other vehicles will not be permitted. Besides, none will be allowed to bring out torch processions.
The code of conduct will also ban pasting posters on vehicles and public establishments across the country, and buildings, walls, trees and electricity pillars under the city corporation and municipalities areas.
Scrawling graffiti on vehicles, buildings, walls, bridges, road dividers or any other establishments, erecting archways and gates, illuminating structures and using helicopters in election campaigns too have been banned.
Only the party chiefs will be allowed to use choppers as means of travelling. But they will not be permitted to distribute leaflets, posters and drape banners from helicopters.
According to the code of conduct, portraits of party chiefs and candidates, and election symbols could be printed on posters, but no pictures of processions or programmes.
It means Awami League and BNP will not be able to use portraits of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Ziaur Rahman in electoral campaigns.
The code also prohibits electioneering at mosques, temples or any place of worship.
The EC has all along been arguing that a stricter code of conduct will help reduce election expenditures and thus encourage honest and competent candidates in national polls.
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