The Election Commission (EC) has asked the potential candidates for the 12th parliament elections to remove all the campaign-related materials like posters, banners, billboards, which were used to conduct early promotions, at their own cost.
A notice has been sent to the Local Government Division asking the authorities to take measures on the matter a day after the election schedule was announced on Wednesday, the commission said on Saturday.
According to the election schedule, the deadline for nomination submissions is November 30.
The nomination scrutiny will take place from December 1 to 4, with the finalisation of candidatures by the end of the withdrawal period on December 17.
Symbol allocation is slated for December 18 after the withdrawal of candidatures. The vote is slated for January 7, 2024.
So the candidates will have 14 days for campaigning ahead of the election, from December 18 to January 5. The candidates will have to end their campaign 48 hours before the polls.
The notice, signed by EC Deputy Secretary Md Atiar Rahman, was sent to the Local Government Division secretary on Thursday.
It said different local government agencies, including city corporations and municipalities, will have to take the necessary measures to ensure the removal following the deadline.
Aspiring candidates, who will not comply the direction, may face charges for breaching the code of conduct with a maximum six-month jail term and a Tk 50,000 fine.
The authorities hold the right to scrap the candidate’s nomination and fine the registered political parties Tk 50,000 for a violation of the rules, it added.
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