EC talks tough on troublemakers

The Election Commission (EC) has asked the returning officers to act tough against those who would violate election laws and the code of conduct in the coming Union Parishad polls.

As no-one has been designated to look into such violations that resulted in wholesale infractions in the local body polls, the EC at a meeting Monday designated the Upazila Nirbahi Officers (UNO) and the Returning Officers (RO) to monitor such breaches in their respective areas.

Chaired by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) MA Syed at his office, the meeting reviewed reports from the press and the EC's own channels and decided to from a monitoring team comprising the UNO and election officials in each upazila.

"The team has been empowered to take legal actions against the law breakers," Election Commission Secretary S M Zakaria told a group of reporters after the meeting. He added that any aggrieved party could also file petition with the team.

Earlier, the EC urged all concerned to maintain the 22-point code of conduct with the provision of a highest seven-year imprisonment and fine or both for violation of the codes in the polls beginning on January 25 and running through March 16.

Monday's meeting also discussed the single nomination papers against each of the posts in Barabari Union Parishad in Sadar upazila of Lalmonirhat district. It directed the deputy commissioner (DC) to send a report on the reason behind such nomination papers. The EC observed that the filing of single nomination paper against every post was abnormal.

Attended by Election Commissioners Safiur Rahman, M Munsef Ali and AK Mohammad Ali, the meeting once again deferred the election in Sandwip Paurashabha (municipality), which was scheduled to be held today, in line with a court order.

Earlier, the EC was compelled to postpone the election in Sandwip because of a zero turnout.

• No candidate can use the name of any political party, its symbol, even the name of any political personality or his photograph as per the code of conduct.
• A candidate or anyone on behalf of a candidate cannot pledge or give any subscription to any individual or an institution in private or public in their respective election areas.
• No candidate even can stay in circuit houses or government rest houses during electioneering. No candidate can attack his rival, damage posters or leaflets or attack meetings.

Besides, the electoral code prohibits any colourful publicity or erection of big gates during the polls.

Use of influence or favour from government officials or the media is also violation of the election code, an EC press release said.

A chairman candidate can set up only nine election camps, a general member candidate six camps and a candidate for reserved seat can set up three camps in their respective areas for election campaign. No candidate can obstruct movement of pedestrians or vehicles.

Only one mike is allowed for campaign on behalf of any candidate from 2.30pm to 8:00pm in their respective polling areas. But no procession or torch procession using any vehicle is allowed during the period.

According to the election code, no candidate can use coloured poster other than black and white poster as prescribed by the EC. Use of money, muscle, arms, local or government influences are totally banned.

None other than the person authorised by the Election Commission is allowed to carry arms within the specified area of election centres on the polling day.