Special Correspondent :
The Election Commission (EC) has banned the use of posters in campaigning for the 13th national parliamentary election while the National Democratic Movement (NDM) is demanding that posters be allowed calling for a ban on public rallies and street meetings.
The EC’s draft Code of Conduct for Political Parties and Candidates – 2025 has triggered significant debate among political parties, civil society actors, and citizens.
At the heart of the controversy lies the EC’s proposal to ban campaign posters and impose restrictions on public rallies-measures that have drawn both support and criticism from various quarters.
The National Democratic Movement (NDM) has come out strongly against the proposed ban on posters, describing the idea of a poster-free election as impractical.
NDM Secretary General Mominul Amin emphasized that while poster usage can be regulated, completely eliminating it would hinder visibility and grassroots outreach. He also called for the reversal of the EC’s proposed prohibition on PVC banners.
Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has focused on restricting campaign activities that disrupt public life. It has suggested prohibiting rallies and processions on roads and highways, while also recommending the removal of the terms “mechanical procession” and “public rally” from the code. Additionally, BNP has proposed that only the party chief and the acting head or secretary general be allowed to use helicopters or other aircraft for electioneering purposes.
Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB), on the other hand, has urged the Commission to introduce a mandatory campaign roadmap to be announced before any candidate begins electioneering. TIB’s Executive Director, Dr. Iftekharuzzaman, also recommended that elected officials submit declarations of income and assets for themselves and their immediate family members within three months of assuming office-and annually thereafter. These asset declarations should be made publicly accessible via the EC’s website within a month of submission.
Several other contributors to the EC’s consultation process made notable suggestions. Former additional secretary Muhammad Wahiduzzaman argued that no candidate should promise financial or material benefits to voters, either directly or electronically. EC Deputy Secretary Md. Munir Hossain Khan called for measures to reduce campaign-related noise pollution by banning digital sound systems in addition to traditional banners.
Other proposals submitted to the EC include holding no more than three public rallies per constituency, creating official billboards with all candidates’ photos under EC supervision, and ensuring voters can safely return home after voting without fear or intimidation.
The Bikalpa Dhara party recommended a reassessment of the ban on billboards and stricter rules against unauthorized electricity use during campaigning. They also stressed that no one under 18 should be allowed to participate in any campaign activity.
The draft code has received input from six political parties, including BNP, NDM, and Bikalpa Dhara, as well as from two NGOs, several bureaucrats, a few general citizens, and one expatriate. However, several registered parties-including Jamaat-e-Islami, the National Citizen Party (NCP), Jatiya Party (JaPa), Gono Odhikar Parishad, and Nagorik Oikya-have yet to contribute.
As the EC reviews the wide range of feedback, it faces the challenge of balancing environmental concerns, campaign freedom, and public order-setting the tone for what could be one of the most tightly regulated election campaigns in the country’s history.
