In open defiance of the electoral code of conduct, political parties and candidates continue to litter city walls, utility poles, and footbridges with thousands of posters and banners, ignoring both the ban and a deadline set by authorities.
On 10 December, the day before announcing the schedule for the 13th parliamentary election, Election Commission directed the Local Government Division to ensure candidates remove all campaign materials at their own expense within 48 hours.
However, relevant agencies have failed to enforce the directive, as countless posters, banners, and other materials remain plastered across multiple constituencies.
Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Administrator Mohammad Azaz claimed that the corporation had informed candidates within its jurisdiction of the Election Commission’s order.
“I have called many candidates myself and notified others through official channels. Some have assisted in removing materials, and the city corporation is also working on it,” he told TIMES of Bangladesh.
Despite multiple attempts, Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Chief Executive Officer Md Zahirul Islam could not be reached for comment.
Under Rule 18 of the Code of Conduct 2025, electioneering is permitted – subject to conditions – only from three weeks before polling until 48 hours before voting begins. Accordingly, no campaigning is allowed before 22 January.
The new code also imposes a complete ban on using posters.
The rules further prohibit pasting leaflets, handbills, or festoons on buildings, walls, trees, fences, utility poles, government installations, or any vehicles.
Nevertheless, various parties and candidates have visibly flouted these directives.
In the Dhaka-13 constituency (Mohammadpur, Adabar, Sher-e-Bangla Nagar), campaign materials were seen for Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish candidate Maulana Mamunul Haque, Jamaat-e-Islami’s Md Mobarak Hossain, BNP’s Advocate Abdus Salam, Nationalist Democratic Movement (NDM) Chairman Bobby Hajjaj, and Bangladesh Jatiya Party’s Faisal Taher.
In Dhaka-11 (Badda, Bhatara, Rampura), posters and banners were visible for BNP nominee MA Qayyum, Jamaat’s Md Atiqur Rahman, and Islami Andolan’s Sheikh Fazle Bari Masud.
A similar situation prevailed in Dhaka-12 (Tejgaon Industrial Area, Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, parts of Ramna), with abundant materials for BNP’s Saiful Alam Nirob, Jamaat’s Saiful Alam Khan Milon, and Islami Andolan’s Mahmudul Hasan Momtazi.
The scenario is mostly the same in Dhaka-17 (Cantonment, Gulshan, Banani, Baridhara, Mohakhali, parts of Mirpur).
While BNP has not yet announced a candidate, banners of aspirants were visible. Posters for Jamaat nominee Dr SM Khaliduzzaman were seen throughout the constituency, alongside those of Bangladesh Jatiya Party chairman Andalib Rahman Partha.
Many self-proclaimed independent candidates have also posted materials on walls, poles, and footbridges.
Field visits confirmed that besides candidates, their supporters are also campaigning with posters and banners.
Despite the Local Government Division’s mandate to ensure removal, illegal posters, banners, and festoons continue to mar the cityscape, lingering well past the deadline.
DNCC Deputy Chief Waste Management Officer Mofizur Rahman Bhuiyan said officials are working to remove banned materials.
“However, we are finding that as we remove old posters, countless new ones are put up again,” he said.
On Monday, DNCC workers were seen removing materials in Dhaka-13 under the supervision of Inspector Md Rokonuzzaman, who said the operation was ongoing in every ward.
He noted that BNP and Jamaat had the highest number of posters, followed by Islami Andolan, Khelafat Majlish, and NDM. “The city corporations are working day and night to remove them. Anyone putting up fresh campaign materials will face punitive action,” he added.
On Sunday, Election Commissioner Brig Gen (retd) Abul Fazl Md Sanaullah stated that a clear circular had been issued and claimed posters were no longer as widespread, though some glued to walls remained.
He said the matter would be referred to returning officers for necessary action and that executive magistrates have been appointed to enforce the code and are taking active measures.
