By law, the noise of an election is meant to fade quickly. The Election Commission of Bangladesh clearly states in its Code of Conduct that all campaign materials, banners, festoons, billboards, posters, wall writings, arches, pandals, and even decorative lights must be removed within 48 hours of the election schedule announcement. The responsibility lies squarely with the candidates and political parties, who are also required to bear the cost.
Yet, more than 84 hours after the election has passed, large parts of Dhaka tell a different story.
Across major roads and narrow alleys alike, campaign materials continue to hang from electric poles, stretch across streets, and dominate building facades. Smiling faces of candidates loom over intersections, while faded festoons flutter above rickshaws and pedestrians. The election may be over, but its visual clutter remains.
For residents, this lingering campaign comes at a cost. First, there is the question of safety. Banners tied haphazardly across busy roads can obstruct traffic signals and streetlights. During strong winds or sudden rain, loose billboards risk collapsing, posing a danger to passersby. In already congested neighbourhoods, makeshift arches and structures narrow roads even further, worsening traffic jams that Dhaka residents battle daily.
Then there is the issue of urban aesthetics. Dhaka struggles with visual pollution throughout the year, tangled wires, unregulated signboards, and unplanned advertisements. When election materials are left hanging beyond the deadline, they add another chaotic layer to an already burdened cityscape. Public spaces meant to serve citizens become extended campaign platforms long after the ballots are counted.
Environmental concerns follow closely. Plastic-coated posters, vinyl banners, and flex materials are rarely recycled. As they tear and fall, they clog drains and contribute to waste that often ends up in waterways, intensifying waterlogging during rainfall.
But perhaps the deeper issue is one of accountability. When rules are publicly declared yet visibly ignored, it erodes trust. The failure to remove campaign materials signals not just negligence, but a disregard for civic responsibility.
Elections are a celebration of democracy. Yet democracy must also respect the city it occupies. Once the votes are cast, Dhaka deserves to breathe again, free from the weight of promises still hanging overhead.
