Strict New Rules Govern Bangladesh’s Election Campaigning

As the official campaign window for the 13th National Parliamentary Election opens, the Election Commission (EC) has issued a comprehensive set of directives under the ‘Political Parties and Candidates Code of Conduct 2025’. These regulations are designed to ensure a level playing field and maintain public order. Election Commissioner Brigadier General (Retd) Abul Fazl Md. Sanaullah has issued a stern warning: any breach of these rules could lead to heavy fines, judicial action, or the outright cancellation of a candidate’s eligibility.

To oversee compliance, a robust network of judicial and executive magistrates, alongside electoral inquiry committees and mobile courts, has been deployed across all parliamentary constituencies.

Key Campaign Restrictions: At a Glance

Environmental and Visual Standards

In a significant shift toward sustainability, the EC has banned traditional posters. Instead, candidates may use leaflets, handbills, and banners. Crucially, all banners and festoons must be made of biodegradable materials, such as cloth or jute; the use of Rexine, plastic, or PVC is strictly forbidden. Furthermore, candidates are restricted to using only their own image and that of their party chief on promotional materials.

Logistical and Transport Constraints

To prevent public nuisance and maintain traffic flow, the “showdown” culture of Bangladeshi politics is being curtailed. Candidates are prohibited from organising processions involving buses, trucks, or motorcycles. Mechanical vehicles cannot be used for rallies, and traditional torchlight processions—whether on foot or in vehicles—are entirely banned.

While candidates may use billboards (limited to one per ward in Union Parishads, Municipalities, or City Corporations), the use of helicopters is reserved exclusively for the top leadership of registered political parties.

The Digital Frontier: AI and Social Media

For the first time, the Code of Conduct explicitly addresses modern technological threats. Candidates must register their social media handles, email addresses, and account IDs with the Returning Officer before commencing digital outreach.

The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for deceptive purposes is strictly prohibited. This includes creating “deepfakes” to distort an opponent’s appearance, spreading fabricated election data, or generating hate speech. The EC has categorised the following as punishable digital offences:

Character assassination or “trolling” based on gender or religion.

Sharing unverified election content or biased misinformation.

Inciting communal or ethnic tensions through provocative language.

Candidates must notify local authorities at least 24 hours in advance of any public meeting or rally to ensure security and prevent overlapping events between rival factions.