The Election Commission (EC) is holding a meeting to finalise proposed amendments to local government election laws and the electoral code of conduct ahead of the next phase of local government polls.
The meeting began on Tuesday at the Election Building in Agargaon, Dhaka, chaired by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin.
The four other election commissioners and relevant EC officials are also attending.
According to EC officials, the meeting is expected to finalize proposals related to candidate eligibility, campaign regulations, penalties for violations of the code of conduct and other key electoral issues.
Sources said the commission may approve recommendations to be sent to the government for amending the laws governing city corporations, municipalities, upazila parishads, district councils and union parishads. Amendments to the Union Parishad Election Code of Conduct are also likely to be approved.
Under the proposed code, candidates or their election agents could be declared immediately disqualified through a written order in cases of serious violations of electoral rules.
The draft amendments also include proposals to shorten the campaign period, impose restrictions on electioneering through social media and regulate the use of microphones and sound systems during campaigns.
The EC is additionally considering expanding the list of disqualified candidates. The draft proposes barring MPO-listed educational institution teachers, dual citizens, loan defaulters and guarantors of defaulted loans from contesting local government elections.
The proposals also include increasing the amount of election security deposits for candidates and removing the existing requirement for independent candidates to collect signatures from 1% of voters in the constituency.
Earlier, the Election Commission indicated that the local government election process could begin with Union Parishad polls in the first half of October. The schedule is expected to be announced by the end of August.
As part of election preparations, the EC says ballot boxes, election materials and the necessary manpower have been kept ready for the upcoming polls.