Formal campaigning for UP polls begins today

Formal campaigning for the union parishad (UP) polls will begin today (Thursday), after distribution of symbols among candidates.
The last date for withdrawal of nomination papers ended yesterday (Wednesday). Returning officers will distribute election symbols among candidates who will contest for the 738 UPs.
Even though the chairman candidates sponsored by the 16 political parties already know their election symbols, they will also begin their formal campaigning from today following the electoral code of conduct.
For independent chairman candidates, there are 10 symbols—auto-rickshaw, pineapple, horse, table-fan, drum, telephone, spectacles, two leaves, motorcycle and rajanigandha flower.
For those contesting member seats reserved for women, there are 10 symbols—pen, camera, palm tree, giraffe, book, heron, bridge, mike, helicopter and sunflower.
There are 12 symbols for members contesting general member seats—apple, cricket bat, kite, tube-well, water pump, football, torch-light, van, electric fan, rooster, top and lock.
As per the electoral code of conduct, candidates will follow all provisions of the rules. In case of violation of the code of conduct, candidates will face punishment, like minimum six months’ imprisonment or Tk. 10,000 fine, or both.
As political parties have their candidates in the elections, the parties will also face a minimum fine of Tk. 10,000.  
Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Rakib Uddin Ahmad will hold a meeting with law enforcers at the auditorium of the National Economic Council (NEC) at 11am today. The Election Commission will hear what law enforcers have to say and direct them to take steps to maintain peace during the UP polls scheduled for March 22, according to EC sources.
The EC yesterday directed the Feni district election officer to suspend the polls of six unions in Fulgazi upazila of the district in the second phase till further notice. The six unions are Amjadhat, Darbarpur, Fulgazi, GM Hat, Munshirhat and Anandapur.
The elections in the second phase will now be held in 651 UPs.
The EC also extended the last day to submit nomination papers in the second phase of UP polls in three unions till Thursday. They are Chikhila, Boxmahmud and Mirzanagar in Parshuram upazila of Feni district.

Formal campaigning for UP polls begins today

Formal campaigning for the union parishad (UP) polls will begin today (Thursday), after distribution of symbols among candidates. The last date for withdrawal of nomination papers ended yesterday (Wednesday). Returning officers will distribute election symbols among candidates who will contest for the 738 UPs. Even though the chairman candidates sponsored by the 16 political parties already know their election symbols, they will also begin their formal campaigning from today following the electoral code of conduct. For independent chairman candidates, there are 10 symbolsauto-rickshaw, pineapple, horse, table-fan, drum, telephone, spectacles, two leaves, motorcycle and rajanigandha flower. For those contesting member seats reserved for women, there are 10 symbolspen, camera, palm tree, giraffe, book, heron, bridge, mike, helicopter and sunflower. There are 12 symbols for members contesting general member seatsapple, cricket bat, kite, tube-well, water pump, football, torch-light, van, electric fan, rooster, top and lock. As per the electoral code of conduct, candidates will follow all provisions of the rules. In case of violation of the code of conduct, candidates will face punishment, like minimum six months imprisonment or Tk. 10,000 fine, or both. As political parties have their candidates in the elections, the parties will also face a minimum fine of Tk. 10,000. Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Rakib Uddin Ahmad will hold a meeting with law enforcers at the auditorium of the National Economic Council (NEC) at 11am today. The Election Commission will hear what law enforcers have to say and direct them to take steps to maintain peace during the UP polls scheduled for March 22, according to EC sources. The EC yesterday directed the Feni district election officer to suspend the polls of six unions in Fulgazi upazila of the district in the second phase till further notice. The six unions are Amjadhat, Darbarpur, Fulgazi, GM Hat, Munshirhat and Anandapur. The elections in the second phase will now be held in 651 UPs. The EC also extended the last day to submit nomination papers in the second phase of UP polls in three unions till Thursday. They are Chikhila, Boxmahmud and Mirzanagar in Parshuram upazila of Feni district.