EC warns four parties after BNP's complaint

Following the BNP's complaint, the Election Commission (EC) has ordered four political parties not to campaign for the elections before the scheduled time.

The instructions have been received by Jamaat-e-Islami, Jatiya Nagorik Party (NCP), Islami Andolan Bangladesh and Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis. Letters with EC instructions have already been sent to the heads of these parties.

The authenticity of this letter was confirmed by EC sources on Tuesday. The letter said that a complaint has been received by the Chief Election Commissioner on the occasion of the 13th National Parliament election, despite the election campaign being banned before January 21, these four parties have continued their election campaign. This is in violation of Rule 18 of the Code of Conduct for Political Parties and Candidates.

The EC reviewed the complaint and warned the heads of the political parties concerned and other relevant persons of the party and requested them to refrain from campaigning before the scheduled time.

Earlier on January 18, a delegation led by BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir met with Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasiruddin. At that time, a letter signed by BNP Election Steering Committee Chairman Nazrul Islam Khan was handed over to the CEC. The letter alleged that Jamaat-e-Islami and its alliance partners NCP, Bangladesh Islamic Shasantantrik Andolan and Bangladesh Khilafat Majlis were campaigning in various constituencies, which was in violation of the code of conduct and the Representation of the People Order (RPO) before January 21.

The BNP letter said that the EC had suspended the personal tour programme of party chairman Tarique Rahman at their request, but the opposing parties were campaigning in violation of the code of conduct. This was violating the election law and destroying the level playing field. It was demanded that the EC take necessary action.

In light of the BNP letter, the EC has sent a letter warning Jamaat-e-Islami and its alliance partners.

According to the election schedule, the final list of candidates will be published and symbols will be allotted tomorrow, Wednesday, after the withdrawal of candidacies.

Election campaigning will be allowed from next Thursday, which will continue until 7:30 am on February 10. The 13th National Parliament Election and referendum will be held on February 12 from 7:30 am to 4:30 pm.