The returning officer has issued show-cause notices to two parliamentary candidates of the National Citizen Party (NCP) over allegations of violating the electoral code of conduct.
They are Nahid Islam, candidate for Dhaka-11 constituency, and Nasiruddin Patwary, candidate for Dhaka-8 constituency.
Returning Officer Sharaf Uddin Ahmad Chowdhury sent separate letters to both candidates on Sunday.
In the notice sent to Nahid Islam, it was stated that several billboards featuring his colour photos had been installed at key locations in Dhaka-11. The billboards carried the slogan supporting “Yes vote in the referendum for national reform”, which violates the electoral code of conduct.
The letter further noted that, under Rule 18 of the Political Parties and Candidates’ Code of Conduct, 2025, no election campaign may begin earlier than three weeks before the scheduled election date. Accordingly, Nahid Islam was asked to remove all billboards by 9:30am on 19 January.
He was also instructed to submit a written explanation, either personally or through a representative, to the returning officer’s office by 11am on 19 January, stating why legal action should not be taken against him for violating the code of conduct.
Meanwhile, the show-cause notice sent to Nasiruddin Patwary, candidate for Dhaka-8, said that several billboards featuring his colour photos, the identification “Parliamentary Candidate for Dhaka-8”, and the slogan “Say Yes to the Referendum” had come to the returning officer’s attention. These, too, were deemed violations of the electoral code of conduct.
Quoting Rule 18, the notice reiterated that election campaigning cannot begin earlier than three weeks before the polling. Therefore, he was ordered to remove all billboards by 9:30am on 19 January.
Additionally, he was directed to submit a written explanation by 11am on 19 January, clarifying why legal action should not be taken against him for violating the code of conduct.
