EC publishes draft code of conduct for elections

Banglapress Published: 23 September 2025, 10:25 AM

EC publishes draft code of conduct for elections

Bangla Press Desk: The Election Commission (EC) published the draft “Code of Conduct for Political Parties and Candidates 2025” on its website on Sunday. The EC has sought public feedback on the draft, with a submission deadline set for 10 July. Dewan Md Sarwar Jahan, deputy secretary of the EC’s Election Assistance Branch, issued a notice regarding the matter on Sunday. According to the notice, the draft of the Code of Conduct for Political Parties and Candidates 2025 has been prepared under the relevant section of the Representation of the People Order, 1972, and is subject to amendment by the competent authority.

The proposed code introduces a ban on posters in election campaigns, with violators facing fines of up to Tk1.5 lakh. It also mandates the use of environmentally friendly campaign materials. In addition, the EC plans to implement broader reforms such as formal guidelines for online campaigning, and encouragement of sustainable alternatives like billboards in place of posters. Penalties for violations The proposed amendments include stricter penalties for breaches of the code:

(a) If any candidate, or anyone acting on their behalf, violates the rules during the pre-election period, they may face up to six months’ imprisonment, a fine of up to Tk150,000, or both. (The previous maximum fine was Tk50,000.) (b) If a registered political party violates any rule, it may also face a fine of up to Tk150,000, up from the previous limit of Tk50,000. (c) Violations of the social media campaign rules under Rule 13Ka(2) will be dealt with under the Digital Security Act or Cyber Security Act, whichever is applicable at the time. Under Section 20, which outlines restrictions regarding election expenditure limits, the draft code introduces specific requirements: (a) The registered political party, its nominated candidate, independent candidate, or any person acting on their behalf must submit all election-related social media expenses, including content creation, advertisements, boosting, and sponsorships, under the heading of overall election expenditure to the Election Commission. (b) These social media expenses must be counted within the candidate’s official spending limit. (c) The use of foreign-funded advertisements or promotional activities in social media campaigns is strictly prohibited.

In Section 17, which deals with restrictions on the use of microphones during election campaigns, the code states: (a) No candidate shall use more than three microphones or loudspeakers simultaneously in any electoral area. (b) The sound level of microphones or any sound-amplifying devices used during campaigns must not exceed 60 decibels. This article was originally published on Daily Sun. [Bangla Press is a global platform for free thought. It provides impartial news, analysis, and commentary for independent-minded individuals. Our goal is to bring about positive change, which is more important today than ever before.] BP/ZE

[Bangla Press is a global platform for free thought. It provides impartial news, analysis, and commentary for independent-minded individuals. Our goal is to bring about positive change, which is more important today than ever before.]