The Election Commission (EC) on Saturday directed all the potential candidates of the 12th Jatiya Sangsad (JS) election to immediately remove all promotional materials like posters, banners, billboards and other campaign-related structures which are being used to conduct early promotions.
In the directives, the EC also mentioned these materials will have to be removed at the candidate hopefuls own cost.
Earlier on December 16, the day after the announcement of the election schedule on November 15, the EC had urged all the officials concerned of the local government department to implement all the directives of the EC so that a level playing field is created across the country.
EC officials highlighted that many potential candidates have already initiated various campaign materials in their constituencies across cities and villages.
With the campaign period for the upcoming national polls starting from December18 as per the polls schedule, allegations of violating the code of conduct may be brought against them if they secure nominations.
The directive from the EC's election management wing, signed by Deputy Secretary Atiyar Rahman, was forwarded to the local government department on November 16 outlining the removal of promotional materials belonging to potential candidates and their election camps.
"The EC has mandated the removal of campaign materials, including posters, banners, wall writings, billboards, gates, arches, enclosures, pandals, and lighting, at the expense of the respective [potential] candidates," stated the letter sent to the local government department.
Meanwhile, city corporations, municipalities, and other local government bodies have been urged to execute the removal activities within the stipulated time frame.
Failure to adhere to the election code of conduct may result in a maximum of six-month imprisonment, a fine of Tk50,000, or both.
Furthermore, there are provisions for candidacy cancellation and fines of up to Tk50,000 imposed on the respective political parties for non-compliance.
As per the announced timetable, the polling date is set for January 7, 2023 while the deadline for nomination paper submissions is November 30.
The nomination scrutiny will take place from December 1-4, with the finalisation of candidatures by the end of the withdrawal period on December 17.
Symbol allocation is slated for December 18 after the withdrawal of candidatures.
As a result, candidates will have 14 days for nomination submissions and 19 days for campaigning.
Notably, campaigning is to conclude 48 hours before polling, allowing for active promotion from December 18 to January 5.