The Election Commission will this week finalise the draft electoral code of conduct for political parties and candidates to contest the upcoming parliamentary polls.
Election Commissioner Mohammad Abu Hafiz made the announcement while addressing a press briefing at the EC secretariat on Monday.
He said: “We would finalise the draft of the electoral code of conduct for the next general election by two or three days. The commission is working to prepare the draft, ensuring level playing field for all parties.”
The commissioner also said the EC would make two changes to the electoral code.
“The commission will specify how the present lawmakers will hold their election campaigning during the polls as this time the next general election will be held under a political government as per the constitution,” Hafiz added.
He also said the commission will add the roles of those lawmakers who will participate in the election in the electoral code of conduct.
“We are still unknown whether the next parliamentary election will be held without dissolving parliament, or whether parliament will remain alive. If the elections are held without dissolving parliament, MPs could participate in the polls while keeping their post,” he added.
The second changes are if the polls are held without dissolving parliament, the commission would ensure equal facilities for other candidates who would contest against the parliament members, he added.
The EC would upload the draft electoral code of conduct on its official website and send copies to the registered political parties for getting suggestions, he said, adding the commission would finalise the electoral code of conduct after getting suggestions from the political parties and civil societies.
