DWOHA CHOWDHURY, Sylhet

Violating the electoral code of conduct, most of the mayoral and councillor candidates in Sylhet City Corporation elections have been seen putting up laminated posters and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) banners around the city roads.

As single-use plastic poses a serious threat to the environment, the High Court imposed a ban on using laminated posters for electoral campaigns in January 2020. The Election Commission also claimed to have alarmed the poll contesters repeatedly.

However, no strict action has been taken by the authority in this regard.

Meanwhile, microphones are being used, motorbike processions are also being arranged as a part of the election campaigns, both of which are also against the electoral code.

According to the City Polls (Code of Conduct) Rules 2016, there is no provision to put up banners larger than the size of a poster (60cm by 45cm). The rules allow each candidate to use only one microphone at a time while addressing the locals in a ward and no vehicular showdown is permitted during campaigns. Section 13 of the code of conduct states, violation of these rules may lead to six months imprisonment or a fine of up to Tk 50,000.

Paper posters were initially hung by all the candidates. Later, they opted for laminated posters after all their posters were damaged in the rain on June 2, the same day the electoral symbols were distributed.

Several candidates, including the ruling Awami League and Jatiya Party’s mayoral contenders, have put up PVC banners around the city. Many are bringing out motorbike processions, and using multiple microphones as a part of their electoral campaigns.

JP candidate Nazrul Islam said, “I have only put up a few banners. I don’t think of it as a violation of the electoral code. However, the AL candidate has put banners all around the city but the authorities have turned a blind eye to the issue.”

“I was not aware of the PVC banners. I only put up paper posters. We are working on taking the banners down,” said AL mayoral candidate Anwaruzzaman Chowdhury.

Islami Andolon Bangladesh mayoral candidate Mahmudul Hasan said, “We have not hung any banners but we started using plastic lamination after rain damaged our posters.”