Published on 12:11 PM, January 22, 2020

Stop production, display of laminated election posters: HC

With the Dhaka city polls only nine days away, most of the city streets and alleys have been flooded with posters of mayor and councillor candidates. Laminated with non-biodegradable plastic, these posters pose a serious threat to environment. The photo was taken in the city’s Khilgaon area on January 21, 2020. Photo: Sk Enamul Haq

The High Court today ordered the authorities concerned to immediately stop production and display of laminated election posters in order to save environment.

The court also asked the authorities to properly dispose the laminated posters which have already been produced and displayed in Dhaka, ahead of the city corporation elections.

The High Court also issued a rule asking the respondents to explain in four weeks why they should not be directed to stop production and display of laminated posters across the country.

Environment and forest ministry secretary, LGRD secretary, health secretary, Election Commission and the chief executive officers of Dhaka north and south city corporations have been made respondents to the rule.

The High Court bench of Justice M Enayetur Rahim and Justice Md Mostafizur Rahman came up with the order and rule on a suo moto (voluntary) move following a report published in The Daily Star today under a headline “Laminated posters in city polls: A big threat to environment”.

Supreme Court lawyer Barrister Manoj Kumar Bhowmick placed the news report before the High Court bench for necessary order.

He told the court that laminated posters are harmful for the environment and public health. Therefore, the production and display of such posters need to be stopped immediately.