EC announces electoral code of conduct prohibiting use of posters and drones in campaigns

The Election Commission (EC) has issued a gazette announcing the Political Parties and Candidates’ Code of Conduct, 2025 ahead of the upcoming 13th National Elections, introducing new restrictions on campaign activities and stricter penalties for violations.

According to the gazette, political parties and candidates will not be allowed to use posters or drones during election campaigns. They must also jointly announce their election manifestos and submit written undertakings pledging to comply with the code of conduct.

Violations of the code may result in up to six months’ imprisonment and fines of Tk 150,000 for both individual candidates and political parties. Under the Representation of the People Order (RPO), a candidate’s nomination may also be cancelled for breaching any of the code’s provisions.

The code prohibits the use of drones, quadcopters, or similar devices for campaign purposes and bans campaigning abroad. Candidates will be limited to a maximum of 20 billboards within their constituencies, each no larger than 16 feet by 9 feet.

Signed by EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed, the gazette also introduces several new clauses addressing digital campaigning and the misuse of technology. Campaigning on social media is allowed, but candidates and their representatives must provide their account IDs, email addresses, and other identifiers to the returning officer before launching their campaigns.

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) for malicious or misleading purposes, including creating fake images, hate speech, or disinformation, is strictly prohibited. All election-related content must be verified before being shared online. Content that is false, defamatory, offensive, or promotes hatred based on religion, ethnicity, or gender is banned.

To ensure environmental responsibility, the code bans polythene, PVC, and rexine-based campaign materials, allowing only eco-friendly alternatives. Lighting and sound must also comply with environmental limits, restricting campaign noise to a maximum of 60 decibels.

Additionally, the code directs that voter slips may be distributed but cannot display a candidate’s name, photo, symbol, or post. Only digital billboards may use lighting.

Parties and candidates must formally undertake to comply with the code when submitting nomination papers. All candidates will be given an opportunity to present their manifestos on a single platform organized by the returning officer.

The EC retains the authority to investigate any alleged breach of the rules and, upon verification, may disqualify or cancel the candidature of any individual found guilty of violating the code under Article 91 of the RPO.