The Election Commission (EC) has warned that any candidate, political party or individual acting on their behalf who engages in secret campaigning or distributes cash or gifts during the election period may face up to six months’ imprisonment and fines of up to Tk100,000.
EC officials said on Tuesday that the warning follows strict enforcement of the electoral code of conduct to ensure a level playing field.
Under Rule 4(1) of the code, political parties, candidates and their representatives are prohibited from offering or promising donations, grants or gifts-openly or secretly-to individuals, groups or institutions within or outside the relevant constituency during the pre-election period.
According to Rule 27, read with Article 91B(3) of the Representation of the People Order, 1972, violations of the code by candidates or their agents constitute a criminal offence.
Offenders may be punished with up to six months in jail, a fine of up to Tk150,000, or both. Registered political parties found guilty of breaching the code may face fines of up to Tk100,000.
The Commission also has the authority to cancel a candidate’s nomination in serious cases.
Rule 28(1) states that if records or written reports indicate that a candidate or their election agent has violated or attempted to violate the code in a way that could make them ineligible, the EC may order an immediate investigation.
Following the inquiry, the Commission may cancel the candidature under Article 91E of the Representation of the People Order, 1972.
Meanwhile, all election campaigning ended at 7:30am, with authorities imposing a ban on public gatherings-including rallies, street meetings and processions-until 4:30pm on Saturday, 14 February.
The election is scheduled for 12 February. To ensure compliance with the code of conduct, executive magistrates, judicial magistrates and judges from election inquiry committees have been deployed across the country with the authority to impose immediate penalties.
