The Election Commission (EC) has provisionally approved a draft proposal that brings candidates’ election campaign activities under its direct supervision in a bid to eliminate the influence of black money in elections
Following the EC's fifth commission meeting on Wednesday, Election Commissioner Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah disclosed that the commission had granted in-principle approval to a draft policy that would shift the responsibility of campaign arrangements from candidates to the EC itself.
"We discussed in detail the regulations concerning party and candidate campaigning, as well as the policy for setting up polling stations,” Sanaullah said.
“Both drafts have received preliminary approval. The relevant committees will work on the specifics and submit them to the commission later," he added.
The proposal is part of broader electoral reforms, some of which require further legal amendments. "The draft has been approved in principle, but its finalization is tied to the overall reform initiative," Sanaullah said.
What's in the draft?
According to the draft, in order to eliminate the influence of black money, the EC will take charge of candidate promotion efforts. This includes organizing joint campaign events where all candidates from a constituency present their manifestos on a single platform.
Additionally, the EC will publish and distribute candidate manifestos in book form.
Initially, this experimental model will be implemented in eight parliamentary constituencies. Returning officers, assistant returning officers, or other EC-authorized officials will be responsible for organizing these campaigns once election symbols are allocated.
Candidates will publicly declare their manifestos and pledge to adhere to the code of conduct in joint forums.
The EC will also ensure that candidates' names, party symbols, and photos are displayed in banners and posters across villages, wards, unions, and district centers.
Moreover, designated officials will build campaign stages at local venues based on union and ward-level divisions.
Candidates will be allowed to campaign in alphabetical order of their assigned symbols. Campaign expenses—including those for stages, microphones, banners, leaflets, etc.—must be deposited into accounts specified by the returning officer.
Expenses will be audited post-election, and any unspent funds will be refunded proportionally.
Voter cards with polling information will be distributed by the EC.
Additionally, returning officers will prepare campaign budgets, including the candidates' deposited funds, and submit them for commission approval.
The budget will detail costs under various campaign heads, and procurement will be conducted locally as per itemized needs.
If this proposed guideline is approved, traditional poster campaigns will be prohibited. Campaigning can only begin after the allocation of election symbols and must cease 48 hours before polling begins.
Digital campaigning & restrictions
Digital and social media campaigning will be permitted, but candidates and their agents must register their account information, including platform names, IDs, and email addresses, with the returning officer before launching online promotions.
However, any form of character assassination, inflammatory, defamatory, or communal content will be strictly prohibited.
Violations will be dealt with under the Digital Security Act or Cybercrime laws.
Ban on use of government resources
High-ranking public officials and individuals enjoying government privileges will be barred from participating in election-related activities, combining official programs with campaign activities, or using government resources, personnel, or vehicles for electioneering.
This applies to civil servants as well as teachers and employees of semi-government and autonomous institutions.
Candidates are forbidden from exerting control over government development programs or attending related events within their constituencies during the election period.
If a candidate is involved with a school or college board, they must resign before the campaign period begins.
Moreover, privileged government officials who are not candidates or their agents will be restricted from entering polling stations or counting rooms on election day.
Even for by-elections, they may only enter the area to cast their vote if registered there.
Complaints & penalties
Any aggrieved individual or registered political party may submit complaints to the EC or election investigation committees.
If the complaints are deemed credible, the commission may investigate or instruct district magistrates, returning officers, or law enforcement agencies to take necessary actions.
Violations of these regulations by a candidate or their agent could result in up to six months of imprisonment, a fine of up to Tk100,000, or both. Registered political parties found in violation may also be fined up to Tk100,000.
In cases where a candidate or their agents violate provisions that could render them ineligible, the EC reserves the right to cancel their candidacy upon investigation.
This proposal signals a potentially transformative shift in Bangladesh’s electoral process, aiming to level the playing field and protect public trust in democratic institutions.
