Political campaign materials removed on EC's move

Dhaka South City Corporation workers take a large Awami League campaign banner off a billboard at Shahbagh yesterday. The move came upon instructions of the Election Commission to remove all publicity materials as electioneering is not allowed until there are three weeks left for the voting day. The 10th parliamentary poll is scheduled for January 5. Photo: Star

Two city corporations of Dhaka have started removing all sorts of political campaign materials, including billboards, in line with the instruction of the Election Commission.
Since November 26, Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) has removed around 7,000 of such billboards, banners and placards which is 98 percent of the total publicity materials in the north zone, said Chief Waste Management Officer Bipon Kumar Saha.
Kabir Mahmood, executive magistrate of the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC), said they have taken down over 10,000 campaign materials, which is 90 percent of such stuff in the south zone, since December 1.
According to the electoral code of conduct, political parties cannot start campaigning until three weeks are left for the polling date.
Mahmood said billboards and placards of different government agencies, which are against the electoral code, are also included in the drive. Yesterday, they removed around 1,000 publicity stuff from Tikatoli, Matijheel, Kaptanbazar, Dhanmondi, Bangla Motor and VIP roads. The drive will continue until all such materials are removed, he added.