It has also planned to ban the use of religion in election campaigns, according to sources in the EC.

The sources said the EC is taking steps to amend the code of conduct for contesting political parties and candidates in parliamentary elections.

Once the reforms are implemented, two major political parties -- Awami League and BNP -- will not be allowed to use images of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and late President Ziaur Rahman in their election campaigns.

Similarly, Islamic political parties including Jamaat-e-Islami will be barred from using religion in their election campaigns.

The EC will also make stringent provisions for punishing any political party or candidate if they violate the electoral code of conduct.

"The father of the nation and national leaders are assets of the nation. They cannot be properties of any individual political party," Election Commissioner Brig Gen (retd) M Sakhawat Hossain told reporters referring to the EC's move to impose the restrictions.

"No political party or candidate will be allowed to use portraits of national leaders on election campaign posters," the election commissioner said adding that the move has been initiated to keep national leaders above controversy.

A political party or a candidate however may use his or her party chief's portrait, his or her own portrait, and the election symbol on the campaign poster, he added.

"A candidate will be punished with a fine of up to Tk 20,000 or cancellation of the candidature if he or she is found guilty of violating the electoral code of conduct," Sakhawat said adding, "We are now thinking about a set of proposals in this regard."

The election commissioner said the EC will initiate steps three months prior to the announcement of election schedule to monitor whether the electoral code of conduct is being violated.

Election Commissioners Sohul Hossain and Sakhawat Hossain yesterday held a meeting and discussed the possible reforms to the electoral code of conduct. The commission will finalise the proposals for reforms after the chief election commissioner returns home from abroad.

Talking to reporters yesterday Election Commissioner Sohul Hossain said the EC will start the task of preparing the voter list as soon as possible.

Election Commissioner Sakhawat said the national election and elections in local government bodies will be held after creating a voter list with photographs. "Priorities might be given to voter lists in city corporations and municipality areas so that elections in those local bodies can be held on time," he said.