The Election Commission has issued nearly identical codes of conduct for Union Parishad, municipality, city corporation, upazila and district council elections ahead of local government polls. Separate gazettes for each code of conduct were published Monday, signed by Election Commission Secretary Akhtar Ahmed.
The new rules ban the use of posters in election campaigning. Banners, leaflets, festoons and a limited number of billboards will still be allowed. Time limits have also been set for using loudspeakers and mobile campaign vehicles during campaigning.
The new code of conduct bans posters in election campaigning. While banners, leaflets, festoons and billboards may still be used, limits have been set on their size and use.
The maximum banner size is 10 feet by 4 feet. Leaflets and handbills must be A4 size — 8.27 inches by 11.69 inches. The maximum festoon size is 18 inches by 24 inches. The maximum size of a billboard’s advertising area is 16 feet by 9 feet.
In city corporation and Union Parishad elections, one billboard will be allowed per ward.
In upazila parishad elections, one billboard will be allowed per union or municipal ward, with a maximum of 20 billboards across the entire constituency.
In district council elections, one billboard will be allowed per thana or upazila.
Campaign material must be black and white. Festoons and handbills may not use polyethylene covering or PVC. Campaign materials must carry a printing date.
Election symbols may not exceed six feet in length, width or height. Live animals may not be used in campaigning.
The use of loudspeakers or sound-amplifying devices during campaigning has been restricted to between noon and sunset. No more than one loudspeaker may be used at a time.
The same time window applies to campaigning using caravans or mobile vehicles. However, loudspeakers will not be allowed at all in district council elections.
While campaigning on social media is allowed, its cost must be reported as part of election expenses. Restrictions have also been placed on using artificial intelligence (AI) to spread false information, doctored images or misleading content.
The code of conduct states that, for the purpose of influencing voters for or against a candidate, a voter’s own National ID (NID) number or that of their family members may not be collected.
Collecting a voter’s mobile number for mobile financial service (MFS) transactions has also been banned.
The Election Commission had taken precautionary measures after allegations arose during the 13th national parliamentary election that voters’ NID and mobile financial service numbers were being collected. This time, such activity has been directly banned in the local government election code of conduct.
The code also bars “very important persons” from taking part in campaigning for candidates in local government elections.
The list includes the prime minister, the speaker, the deputy speaker, ministers, the chief whip, the leader of the opposition, the deputy leader of the House, the deputy leader of the opposition, state ministers, whips, deputy ministers or people of equivalent rank, members of parliament, city mayors, and those serving as mayor or administrator in their place.
Apart from candidates themselves, no chairman, mayor, administrator or other local government official may take part in election campaigning.
The new code sets a maximum penalty of six months in prison and a fine for violations.
For violations of the Union Parishad code of conduct, a maximum of six months in prison alongside a 10,000-taka fine has been retained.
Separate rules for five types of elections
Union Parishad: One billboard may be used per ward. The cost of social media campaigning must be reported as part of election expenses. Loudspeakers may be used from noon to sunset. Billboards were not previously allowed; this time, they have been added on a limited basis.
Upazila Parishad: One billboard may be used per union or municipal ward, with a maximum of 20 across the entire constituency. The number of campaign camps has also been limited. Limits have been set on establishing campaign camps: one centrally, one per union, and no more than one per three wards in municipal areas.
Municipality: One billboard may be used per ward. Campaigning by loudspeaker, caravan or mobile vehicle is allowed from noon to sunset.
District Council: One billboard may be used per thana or upazila. Loudspeakers are not allowed in this election.
City Corporation: One billboard may be used per ward. Posters are banned in campaigning. Sizes for banners, leaflets, festoons and billboards have also been set.
The commission wants to begin local government elections toward the end of this year.