EC issues show-cause notices to Nahid, Patwari over election code violations

The Election Commission EC has issued show-cause notices to Nahid Islam, candidate for Dhaka-11 constituency and convenor of the National Citizen Party NCP, over allegations of violating the electoral code of conduct ahead of the 13th national parliamentary election. A similar notice has also been issued to Nasiruddin Patwari, candidate for Dhaka-8 constituency.

The information was confirmed from letters signed by Returning Officer and Dhaka Divisional Commissioner Sharaf Uddin Ahmed Chowdhury on Sunday, January 18.

In the letter sent to Nahid Islam, the EC stated that he is a valid candidate nominated by the National Citizen Party NCP for the Dhaka-11 constituency.

It said large colourful billboards bearing his image have been installed at several important locations in the constituency in connection with the upcoming election. The billboards include the wording Dhaka-11 and slogans supporting a ‘yes’ vote in the referendum on state reform, which is contrary to the parliamentary election code of conduct.

The letter further noted that under Rule 18 of the Political Parties and Candidates Code of Conduct for Parliamentary Elections 2025, no form of election campaigning is allowed within three weeks prior to the scheduled polling day. As a result, all such billboards have been ordered to be removed by 9:30am on January 19.

Nahid Islam has also been asked to submit a written explanation in person or through a representative by 11:00am on January 19 to the returning officer’s office, explaining why legal action should not be taken against him for violating the code of conduct.

In a separate letter sent to Nasiruddin Patwari, the EC said he is a valid NCP-nominated candidate for the Dhaka-8 constituency. It noted that large colourful billboards displaying his image, his identity as a parliamentary candidate for Dhaka-8 and slogans such as ‘We say yes in the referendum’ have been observed at multiple key locations in the constituency, which also constitutes a breach of the code of conduct.

Referring to the same provision, the letter ordered the removal of all such billboards by 9:30am on January 19.

He has also been asked to submit a written response by 11:00am on January 19 explaining why legal action should not be taken against him for the alleged violations.

Voting in the 13th national parliamentary election and the referendum will be held on February 12.