EC defines dos and don’ts for campaigners

The Election Commission (EC) has announced a stringent set of campaign rules for the general election, imposing restrictions on posters, drone use, and overseas publicity, while tightening oversight on social media campaigning.

Under the new code, no candidate or party may use more than 20 billboards or hold joint manifesto announcements on a single stage.

Each contestant and party must also submit a written pledge to comply with the election code.

The “Code of Conduct for Political Parties and Candidates, 2025” was issued at midnight on Monday by the commission led by AMM Nasir Uddin.

The code stipulates penalties for violations, including up to six months in jail, a fine of Tk 150,000 for candidates, and the same amount for their parties.

The EC also reserves the authority to cancel a candidacy if an investigation confirms a breach of the code.

For the first time, posters are banned for election campaigning.

The code also addresses the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in elections, clarifying what is permissible and what is prohibited.

Election Commissioner Md Anwarul Islam Sarker said on Thursday, “We finalised the code of conduct earlier. With the issuance of the RPO, it has been sent for gazette publication.”

The new code has been drafted based on recommendations of the Electoral Reform Commission and harmonised with the 2008 code, while introducing several new provisions.

The Representation of the People (Amendment) Ordinance was issued on Monday, and the EC subsequently released the gazette notification.

Social Media Campaigning

Under the new rules, no candidate, election agent, or anyone acting on their behalf may use social media for campaigning without meeting specific conditions. These include:

• Submitting full identification of social media accounts, including account ID and email, to the returning officer before beginning any campaign.

• AI must not be used for malicious purposes in election-related content.

• Hate speech, misinformation, image manipulation, and fabrication of election-related content are prohibited.

• Offensive language or attacks targeting opponents, women, minorities, or other groups are banned.

• No misuse of religious or ethnic sentiments for electoral gain.

• All election-related social media content must be verified for accuracy before sharing.

• No creation, publication, or sharing of false, biased, obscene, defamatory, or AI-generated content intended to mislead voters or damage reputations.

The amended RPO also introduces new provisions treating rumour-mongering and AI misuse as electoral offences subject to punishment.

Other Restrictions

• Candidates and parties are barred from holding rallies, public meetings, or campaigns abroad.

• Candidates are restricted to 20 billboards per constituency, with a maximum size of 16 feet by 9 feet.

• Drones, quadcopters, or similar devices are banned on election day and during campaigning.

• Opponents or other candidates may not distribute voter slips; slips must not include the candidate’s name, photo, position, or symbol.

• Only digital billboards may use lighting, with restrictions on electricity use and decorative lights.

• Banners, festoons, and leaflets must not be made of PVC or plastic materials.

• The list of state-benefited VIPs has been expanded to include the chief advisor and members of the Advisory Council of the interim government, who are prohibited from campaigning on behalf of candidates.

• Environmentally friendly campaign materials must be used; the use of polythene and rexine in campaign materials is banned.

• Campaign noise must not exceed 60 decibels.

• Candidates and parties must submit a written pledge to comply with the code of conduct.

• In cases of serious violations, candidacy can be cancelled under RPO Section 91; this provision has now been explicitly included in the code, whereas it was absent in earlier versions.

• All candidates are given the opportunity for media dialogue and joint manifesto announcements on a single platform. The returning officer will organise a session in each constituency to ensure that all manifestos are presented publicly on the same day.