Who will get 'plough' symbol is yet to be decided: EC secretary
"No decision has been made yet. If a decision had been made, you would certainly have known," he said
Election Commission (EC) Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said today (11 November) that the decision on who will receive the electoral symbol "plough" has not yet been made.
"No decision has been made yet. If a decision had been made, you would certainly have known. Once it is made, it will be announced," he told journalists at the Election Commission building in Agargaon.
Akhtar confirmed that the parliamentary election will be held in the first half of February, with the schedule to be announced in December.
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He said the commission has already completed preparations, including dialogues with election experts, academics, women leaders, the media, and professionals.
The commission will begin dialogue with political parties on 13 November, inviting 12 parties on the first day in two sessions.
The morning session will include the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Bangladesh Congress, Bangladesh Muslim League, National People's Party, Bangladesh Khilafat Andolon, and Jamiat Ulema‑e‑Islam Bangladesh. In the afternoon, the Communist Party of Bangladesh, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD), Socialist Party of Bangladesh (BASAD), Revolutionary Workers Party of Bangladesh, Bangladesh Nationalist Front (BNF), and Bangladesh Nationalist Movement (BNM) will join.
Akhtar said discussions will focus on the Representation of the People Order (RPO), the code of conduct, and issues related to fair elections.
He added that posters have been banned, while leaflets and digital display boards will be allowed.
Election code of conduct
Asked about changes to the election code of conduct, Akhtar said posters have been banned. "A candidate will not be allowed to use more than three microphones at a single rally in one constituency.
However, if a candidate holds multiple rallies in succession, three microphones may be used at each rally. There is no restriction there."
He added that leaflets will be allowed, as will digital display boards. But no structures that obstruct movement can be built.
Akhtar also said the commission has not yet received a certified copy of the court order reinstating the Bagerhat constituency.
"We have not yet received the certified copy. Once we have the verdict, the EC will review it and decide whether to appeal or not – the next course of action will be determined," he said.
More than 30 petitions over constituency boundary re‑demarcation have gone to court. Asked whether delays in resolving these could affect the schedule, Akhtar said, "It could have an impact."
He further said, "Once claims and objections are settled, there is no scope to question the final re‑demarcated boundaries of parliamentary constituencies in court. Still, it would not be right to comment without reviewing the verdict."
