EC directive ignored in Dhaka-19 as candidates delay removing campaign materials
So far, BNP, Jamaat and NCP have officially named candidates for Dhaka-19 and it remains unclear whether other political parties or independent candidates will contest the seat.
Despite the Election Commission's directive to remove all election campaign materials within 48 hours of the announcement of the national election schedule, no visible initiative was observed by prospective candidates to take down posters, banners and festoons across the Dhaka-19 constituency till last evening (12 December).
The Dhaka-19 seat comprises Savar and Ashulia areas, where campaign materials remain scattered across road dividers, walls, electric poles and in front of government and private offices, including around the Savar Upazila Parishad premises.
A visit to multiple locations yesterday morning showed no sign of removal efforts by candidates or their supporters.
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However, candidates from Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and the National Citizen Party (NCP) said they would comply within the stipulated time.
BNP candidate Dr Dewan Md Salauddin Babu could not be reached for comment despite repeated attempts.
Assistant Returning Officer for Dhaka-19 and Savar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md Saiful Islam told The Business Standard, "There is a 48-hour window for candidates to voluntarily remove their campaign materials. They have been given the opportunity to do so.
"We have already informed three prospective candidates, and they assured us they would comply. If they fail to remove the materials within the time, we will take action as per rules and remove all of them," he added.
Jamaat's Dhaka-19 nominee, Mawlana Md Afzal Hossain said logistical constraints had delayed the process but assured compliance.
"Although we have not yet started removing the campaign materials due to some urgent engagements, we decided yesterday to do so. We will remove all materials within the EC-mandated timeframe. We even postponed two scheduled processions considering the code of conduct. We respect the law, and removing our materials will not take much time. Instructions had already been communicated at the local level."
NCP nominee Faisal Mahmud Shanto said, "Our party instructed candidates to strictly adhere to the EC's directives. We were supposed to start the removal after Friday prayers, but we became occupied with an urgent issue concerning Osman Hadi. At this moment, our colleague's life is above all else. Still, we will remove the materials within the stipulated time," he said, noting that most posters were put up by well-wishers rather than the party itself.
So far, only BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami and NCP have officially named candidates for the Dhaka-19 constituency. It remains unclear whether other political parties or independent candidates will contest the seat.
Most of the visible campaign materials belong to these three candidates, along with some from aspirants who had sought party nominations. Many of the materials also mention local party leaders or 'local people' as sponsors.
