Electioneering for the 11th general election kicked off all over the country yesterday amid festivities, after the Election Commission allocated symbols to the candidates.
The commission allocated symbols to all candidates vying for the 300 constituencies across the country. As the symbols for the political parties had already been set, throughout the day all eyes were on what symbols the independent candidates would get.
Key leaders of political parties have said that their nominated candidates have been in close contact with the voters since they decided to run, and after the symbol allotment the campaign will get a formal shape.
BNP said that leaders of the party, allied parties and Oikya Front candidates will start campaigning in full swing from Tuesday morning.
However, across the country many candidates from all sides held rallies and processions in their constituencies.
Prime Minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina, who is vying from Gopalganj 3 constituency, will start the campaign formally tomorrow from Tungipara.
Jatiya Oikya Front, which is an alliance of BNP and some other opposition parties, has urged its leaders and activists to work for their candidates across the country. One of the key leaders of the alliance Dr Kamal Hossain said at a program in the capital: “Wherever you are now, hit the road and tell people that we want change. Let’s knock every door.”
39 parties, 96 independents
According to Election Commission sources, this time 39 registered parties are fielding candidates in the the 11th parliamentary election. Ninety-six independent candidates are also vying for parliamentary membership. The commission has allocated a total of 64 electoral symbols for the candidates.
BNP leader Mirza Abbas hands out posters to voters, and Workers Party President Rashed Khan Menon electioneering in their constituency on Monday Dhaka TribuneOf these, 39 went to the parties and the remaining 25 symbols were given to the independents.
Election Commission Joint secretary Farhad Ahmmed Khan told the Dhaka Tribune: “According to the electoral code of conduct, candidates can campaign officially after getting symbols.”
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Sunday was the last day for candidates to withdraw their nominations. Previously, the political parties informed the commission about their final candidates via formal letters.
As per the code of conduct, this year the candidates can campaign for 19 days.
A total of 272 candidates are going to contest the 11th parliamentary elections with ‘boat’, Awami League’s electoral symbol, and 298 with BNP’s polls symbol ‘sheaf of paddy.
Out of 300 constituencies, Awami League has fielded its own candidates in 258 and shared the other 42 with its partners from the Grand Alliance.
BNP has shared 58 seats with its partners from the Jatiya Oikya Front and the 20-party Alliance and fielded its own candidates in 242 parliamentary seats.
HM Ershad-led Jatiya Party will contest the election with its own symbol ‘plough’ and ruling ally Jatiya Party (JP) with its own symbol ‘bicycle.’
What are the rules for campaigning?
Commission Joint Secretary SM Asaduzzaman said no candidate can spend more than Tk10 per voter during the election campaign, but the total election expenditures of a candidate, including the party’s donation, cannot exceed the limit of Tk25 lakh.
The violation of electoral code of conduct will be punishable by Tk50,000 fine or jail term of six months and cancellation of candidacy. One magistrate will be in charge of monitoring code of conduct violations in each constituency.
The commission has already deployed 600 judicial magistrates and nearly 1,000 executive magistrates.
As part of the election campaign, candidates can only hang black and white posters of the maximum 60cm x 45cm size, but no poster can be pasted. Colour posters and banners are not allowed. In case of banners, the highest size is 3 x 1 metres as per the code of conduct.