DHAKA — The Election Commission has issued a Code of Conduct for 2025 ahead of the upcoming 13th national parliamentary election, requiring for the first time that all candidates announce their election manifestos from a single stage. The commission published the rules in gazette form on Monday night, Nov. 11. The new code was drafted with a number of strict and new provisions, drawing on the recommendations of the Electoral Reform Commission and aligning with the 2008 code of conduct.
For the first time, the new rules completely ban the use of posters in election campaigning. The use of drones and any form of campaigning from abroad have also been prohibited.
To curb environmental pollution and control spending, the rules impose a full ban on the use of all kinds of posters and on the use of drones in election campaigning, according to the code. No candidate may use more than 20 billboards, banners or festoons.
Stricter controls have also been placed on campaigning on social media. In particular, the use of artificial intelligence to run any campaign with malicious intent has been completely banned.
Under the new provisions, political parties and candidates must submit a written pledge to the Election Commission to strictly abide by the code of conduct.
Tough penalties are also in place for code violations. A candidate who breaches the rules can face up to six months in jail and a fine of 150,000 taka. Political parties also face fines of up to 150,000 taka. For serious violations, the Election Commission has the power, subject to investigation, to cancel a candidate’s nomination.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report