The Election Commission (EC) has published a gazette outlining a stringent code of conduct for political parties and candidates ahead of the 13th national elections, introducing new restrictions on campaign materials, social media activity, and the use of technology.
According to the Political Parties and Candidates’ Code of Conduct, 2025, parties and candidates will no longer be allowed to use posters in election campaigns, while billboards will be limited to 20 per constituency, each not exceeding 16 feet in length and 9 feet in width.
The use of drones, polythene materials, and artificial lighting — except on digital billboards — has also been banned.
The code, signed by EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed and published Monday night, makes it mandatory for all political parties and candidates to submit written undertakings pledging to comply with the new rules.
They must also announce their manifestos on a single platform coordinated by the returning officer.
Violations of the code may result in up to six months’ imprisonment, fines of up to Tk1.5 lakh for candidates or parties, and potential cancellation of candidacy under the Representation of the People Order (RPO).
Tighter digital and AI rules
The EC has placed unprecedented emphasis on curbing online misinformation and misuse of artificial intelligence.
Candidates or their agents may campaign on social media only after submitting their account details — including names, IDs, and email addresses — to returning officers.
The code explicitly bans the use of AI to produce or spread manipulated images, hate speech, or fabricated content.
It also prohibits personal attacks, inflammatory language, or the exploitation of religious or ethnic sentiments for political gain.
All campaign content must be verified before publication or sharing.
Any political entity or individual found to have created or distributed false or defamatory material online could face penalties under the RPO’s new provisions against AI abuse and rumor-mongering.
Environmental, noise restrictions
Campaign materials must use eco-friendly materials; PVC, polythene, and rexine banners are prohibited.
Sound levels at rallies or events cannot exceed 60 decibels, and electricity use is restricted to approved digital billboards.
Candidates may distribute voter slips, but these cannot include names, photographs, symbols, or posts.
If the EC receives credible evidence of code violations that could disqualify a candidate, it can order an immediate probe.
Upon confirmation, the Commission has the authority to cancel the candidate’s nomination in accordance with Article 91 of the RPO.
The new code aims to ensure a cleaner, more environmentally conscious, and digitally responsible election campaign, marking one of the most comprehensive reforms in Bangladesh’s electoral framework in recent years.
