The Election Commission has published the Code of Conduct in an official gazette, imposing a ban on the use of posters and the misuse of artificial intelligence (AI) and social media in election campaigns.
According to the new code of conduct, no one may conduct election campaigns in religious places of worship, such as mosques, temples, pagodas, and churches, or in government offices or educational institutions.
The official gazette of the code of conduct for political parties and candidates in the parliamentary election rule 2025 was published on Monday night, ahead of the 13th parliamentary election to be held in early February 2026.
No Poster
As per the code of conduct, no posters can be used in the election campaign, and no pamphlets, leaflets, handbills, festoons, or banners made from non-biodegradable materials such as rexine, polythene, plastic, or any other material harmful to the environment shall be used.
A candidate cannot install more than 20 billboards in an election area (constituency), and a billboard shall be a maximum of 16 feet by 9 feet in size.
Misuse of AI-Social Media:
According to the code of conduct, Artificial Intelligence (AI) cannot be used for malicious purposes in any election-related matter, including campaigning.
The name and account ID, e-mail ID, and other identifying information of a candidate, his election agent, or party-related social media must be submitted to the Returning Officer before the commencement of the campaign.
As per the code, all types of harmful content, including hate speech, misinformation, disfiguring someone’s face, and fabricated election-related information, shall not be created and disseminated as well as hate speech, personal attacks, or inflammatory language targeting opponents, women, minorities, or any other group of people shall not be used in social media.
The punishment for violating this code has been made stricter, with the maximum penalty increased to six months’ imprisonment and a fine of Tk 150,000, up from six months’ imprisonment and a fine of Tk 50,000.
Use of helicopter-drones:
Only the president and the general secretary, or persons holding equivalent posts, of a political party will also be allowed to use helicopters in the campaign, but no leaflet, banner, or other campaign material can be displayed, distributed, or dropped from the copter.
But only the chief of a party or the persons holding equivalent posts could use helicopters in the past.
The code of conduct banned the use of any drone, quadcopter, or similar machine during the election campaign and during balloting hours.
Loud Speakers
The sound from the microphone (microphone) or loudspeaker used in election campaigns shall not exceed 60 decibels, and the microphone or other sound-amplifying machine must be used from 2 pm to 8 pm every day.
The violation of the code of conduct could lead to cancellation of candidature, as a provision incorporated into the code alongside the RPO.
The Election Commission in September 2025 finalised the code of conduct but the gazette has been published now after an amendment ordinance on the Representation of the People Order 1972, promulgated on November 4 last.
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