Jamaat questions EC’s draft code of conduct for national election

Ahead of the national election, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has raised several objections to the Election Commission's (EC) proposed code of conduct during a dialogue held today (19 November).

Supreme Court lawyer and Jamaat representative Shishir Monir pointed out inconsistencies in the rules, particularly regarding the use of posters, the authority to impose punishments, and the absence of a fixed time limit for resolving election-related complaints.

He made the remarks at a round of dialogue organised by the Election Commission.

He criticised what he called a 'dual policy' in the draft, noting that Section 7(a) prohibits all posters, while Section 7(d) sets conditions for removing posters and other campaign materials.

"Why prohibit posters in one clause and then issue instructions about removing them in another?" he asked.

Shishir Monir also expressed concern over ambiguity about who has the authority to impose penalties for violating the code, despite provisions for six months' imprisonment or a Tk1 lakh fine.

"The code does not say who will impose the punishment. This should have been clearly stated," he said, adding that holding political parties responsible for offences committed by others is also problematic.

He further urged the EC to set a mandatory time limit for disposing of complaints filed under Section 26, saying, "If there is no deadline, complaints may remain pending during the election."

He recommended that the provision allowing all candidates to jointly read their manifestos and pledge to follow the code, which is currently optional, be made mandatory, arguing that it would create a constructive political culture.

At the dialogue, Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar demanded the deployment of 3-5 army personnel at every polling centre, saying one soldier per centre is 'insufficient' to prevent violence or illegal occupation.

He also proposed that all DCs and SPs be transferred by lottery after the election schedule is announced, calling it the 'most transparent method'.

Porwar raised further issues, including the absence of clear guidelines on how expatriates would vote in a referendum, allowing passport-based voter list updates for those with NID complications, reconsidering the restriction of only three loudspeakers in each constituency, and ensuring clear printed photographs in the voter list.

He added that the requirement for political parties to submit undertakings during the nomination submission period needs clarification.