Sop for non-party candidates

EC bars campaign with party symbols before Dec 14

The Election Commission (EC) has sought to make a level playing field for independent mayoral candidates for the forthcoming civic polls by ordering their party-sponsored counterparts against using their symbols before December 14.
“This is the first time that the local body election will be held under party symbols. So the party-sponsored mayoral candidates have symbols, whereas the independent contestants don’t have any symbols, which will be distributed on December 14. Therefore, the EC has decided that party candidates cannot campaign with symbols before December 14, as it may be discriminatory for the others,” EC secretary Md Sirajul Islam told reporters yesterday. Sirajul, however, said that the candidates can start campaigning following the implementation of the election code of conduct. “The rules say that the candidates cannot start campaigning before 21 days of the election date. So the candidates can start campaigning from today (Wednesday),” he added.

As per the EC schedule, the symbols will be distributed among candidates on December 14, a day after the withdrawal of nominations on December 13. “All candidates can start campaigning with symbols after getting them,” the EC secretary said.
On Monday, a commissioner had said the candidates would be able to begin campaigning on December 9. However, on Tuesday, the poll panel held a meeting on this regard, but could not reach a decision. Finally, the decision on campaigning with symbols was taken yesterday, informed Sirajul.
About the election code of conduct, the EC secretary said, “The commission has taken steps against the violation of rules by lawmakers. We had issued show cause notices against them. They have replied that such instances were unwitting mistakes and would not be repeated. We’ve taken all measures to follow the rules.”
“There are returning officers and assistant returning officers to monitor against the violation of rules. Besides, executive magistrates will also be there,” he also said.
“Political parties are the defenders of democracy. They have nominated their candidates. So while campaigning on behalf of candidates, they will have to abide by the code of conduct and assist the EC. We’ve got such assurances from them,” he added.

Sop for non-party candidates

EC bars campaign with party symbols before Dec 14

The Election Commission (EC) has sought to make a level playing field for independent mayoral candidates for the forthcoming civic polls by ordering their party-sponsored counterparts against using their symbols before December 14. This is the first time that the local body election will be held under party symbols. So the party-sponsored mayoral candidates have symbols, whereas the independent contestants dont have any symbols, which will be distributed on December 14. Therefore, the EC has decided that party candidates cannot campaign with symbols before December 14, as it may be discriminatory for the others, EC secretary Md Sirajul Islam told reporters yesterday. Sirajul, however, said that the candidates can start campaigning following the implementation of the election code of conduct. The rules say that the candidates cannot start campaigning before 21 days of the election date. So the candidates can start campaigning from today (Wednesday), he added. As per the EC schedule, the symbols will be distributed among candidates on December 14, a day after the withdrawal of nominations on December 13. All candidates can start campaigning with symbols after getting them, the EC secretary said. On Monday, a commissioner had said the candidates would be able to begin campaigning on December 9. However, on Tuesday, the poll panel held a meeting on this regard, but could not reach a decision. Finally, the decision on campaigning with symbols was taken yesterday, informed Sirajul. About the election code of conduct, the EC secretary said, The commission has taken steps against the violation of rules by lawmakers. We had issued show cause notices against them. They have replied that such instances were unwitting mistakes and would not be repeated. Weve taken all measures to follow the rules. There are returning officers and assistant returning officers to monitor against the violation of rules. Besides, executive magistrates will also be there, he also said. Political parties are the defenders of democracy. They have nominated their candidates. So while campaigning on behalf of candidates, they will have to abide by the code of conduct and assist the EC. Weve got such assurances from them, he added.