The Election Commission (EC) has issued a directive prohibiting government officials from any form of public campaign urging voters to cast a “yes” or “no” vote in the upcoming referendum scheduled for 12 February.
In a circular issued on Thursday, the Election Commission Secretariat said that while individuals may raise public awareness about the referendum, they are not allowed to call on voters to vote in favour of or against the proposal.
The directive, signed by Mohammad Monir Hossain, deputy secretary (Election Management–2 Wing), stated that such activities could influence the outcome of the referendum and would constitute a punishable offence under the Referendum Act, 2025 and the Representation of the People Order, 1972.
TIMES of Bangladesh has obtained a copy of the directive.
Referring to Section 21 of the Referendum Act, 2025, and Article 86 of the Representation of the People Order, 1972, the commission said that any person engaged in campaigning to secure votes for either “yes” or “no” would be committing an offence.
The EC clarified that individuals are permitted to inform and educate the public about the referendum issue but must refrain from making any appeal aimed at influencing voting behaviour.
The commission has instructed the relevant authorities to take necessary action in accordance with the law to ensure compliance with the directive.
The circular has been sent to divisional commissioners in Dhaka and Chattogram along with returning officers, all additional election officers in Dhaka, Chattogram, Khulna and Rajshahi, and all deputy commissioners, superintendents of police across the country.
Copies have also been forwarded for information and necessary action to the Cabinet Secretary, the Principal Secretary to Chief Adviser, secretaries of all ministries and divisions, the Inspector General of Police, the Director General of Bangladesh Police (Special Branch), the Director General of the National Security Intelligence, the Director General of the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission, the Director General of the Department of Posts, the Director General of the National Identity Registration Wing, all election commissioners, metropolitan police commissioners, range deputy inspectors general of police, project directors concerned, and all joint secretaries of the Election Commission Secretariat.
The Election Commission reiterated that strict adherence to the legal framework governing referendums must be ensured to maintain the integrity of the process.
