Election code of conduct violations ramp up, fines imposed in 276 incidents

A competition to violate the election code of conduct is underway across the country ahead of the upcoming 13th parliamentary election. Over the past 26 days, fines amounting to Tk 1,826,250 have been imposed for 276 incidents of code violations involving candidates and their supporters across various constituencies. During the same period, 176 cases have been filed over such violations.

The information was confirmed on Tuesday by Md Saiful Islam, director of operations at the National Identity Registration Wing and member secretary of the central coordination committee, speaking to Views Bangladesh. He said that on January 23 alone, the highest fine of Tk 276,700 was collected from just three cases across six constituencies. Most recently, on February 1, executive magistrates imposed fines totalling Tk 72,050 in eight cases in a single day. On February 2, fines of nearly Tk 300,000 were imposed across different constituencies.

The Election Commission Secretariat said the penalties are mainly being imposed for violations related to processions, rallies, posters and billboards. To maintain discipline at the field level, executive magistrates are regularly conducting mobile courts.

According to official records, candidates from BNP and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami in Panchagarh-2 were fined for violating Section 7 Ga of the Political Parties and Candidates Code of Conduct Rules 2025. Similar fines and cases have been filed regularly in other constituencies under Section 13 Ga and related provisions. Authorities also said fines have been imposed in almost all constituencies within Dhaka city for code violations by different political parties.

The report further noted that in Madaripur-3, candidates were fined Tk 500 each and a case was filed for violations during patrols and campaign activities in Hossenpur and Bandar Bari unions. In many cases, representatives of candidates are being given symbolic fines, such as Tk 500, as a warning.

The Election Commission said regular patrols and awareness campaigns are being carried out nationwide to ensure compliance with the code of conduct, including the removal of posters and billboards. The commission added that its strict stance to raise voter awareness and bring candidates under the law will continue.

According to coordination committee data, surveillance has been intensified in constituencies with higher tendencies of code violations, with strict enforcement of the 2025 rules, particularly regarding public rallies and wall writing.