Bangladesh Election Commission now wants change in code of conduct
Amid rampant violation of electoral code of conduct during the electioneering for two Dhaka city corporation elections, Election Commission secretary M Alamgir said that the code of conduct needs to be amended.
The code of conduct is not maintainable in the ‘present democratic situation’ as it was enacted during army-backed caretaker regime, the commission secretary M Alamgir told reporters at his office at Nirbachan Bhaban in Dhaka.
He said that it is not possible to stop rally and procession as it quite natural that supporters and activists will come to road when the candidates move.
He said that roads are become blocked as they are narrow in the densely populated city.
‘I think the electoral code of conduct should be reviewed. The commission secretariat will take necessary steps in this regard, if the commission instructs,’ he said.
Mayoral and councillor candidates to Dhaka north and south city corporation elections, slated for February 1, are conducting their electioneering with violation of electoral code of conduct.
Many candidates are holding raises blocking roads and they are using public announcement system before 2:00pm and after 8:00pm while the code allows PA system six hours from 2:00pm to 8:00pm.
Many councillor candidates in their posters wrote that they are nominated by a political party violating the code.
The candidates also used colorful campaign materials in their electioneering breaching the code.
The commission secretary said that a joyful environment has taken place in the electoral areas and the candidates are enjoying equal opportunities.
About the election commissioner Mahbub Talukder’s remark that no level-playing field exists within the commission, Alamgir said that there was no system to scale the level-playing field within the commission.
He said that returning officer was not bound the give reply to any commissioner individually as they bound to reply to the commission.
He also said that the commission takes its decision following the opinion of majority of the five-member body.
News Courtesy: www.newagebd.net
