The Election Commission (EC) is planning to introduce a uniform code of conduct for elections to all five types of local government bodies to make the rules easier for people to understand and ensure effective enforcement ahead of a massive electoral cycle likely to begin later this year.
As part of preparation to conduct elections to local government bodies throughout the country, the commission has already taken initiative to revise separate election codes for city corporations, municipalities, zila parishads, upazila parishads and union parishads.
The EC has, in principle, taken a decision to make the election codes for the local bodies largely similar to the code of conduct applied in the recent 13th parliamentary election.
Following the successful implementation of the latest code for parliamentary polls during the February-12 general election, the Commission now plans to incorporate several provisions, including restriction on using posters as well, in the polls codes for the local body elections.
Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud said a proposal for a single code of conduct for all local government bodies would be placed before the Commission.
“I think a single code of conduct rule should be there for all local government bodies. I will place a proposal for it,” he told UNB.
Asked about possible changes to the codes, Masud said the local election code would be almost similar to the one used in the 13th parliamentary election.
“There will be a ban on the use of posters and restrictions related to misuse of AI and social media,” he said.
Senior officials of the EC Secretariat have already been instructed to prepare draft amendments to the polls codes and election conduct rules for city corporations, municipalities, district, upazila and union parishads.
EC officials said the ban on posters in parliamentary elections gained positive results and the same approach would now be applied to local government polls to reduce environmental pollution and bring changes to traditional campaigning methods.
Ahead of the last general election, the EC issued the Code of Conduct for Political Parties and Candidates in Parliamentary Elections Rules, 2025, prohibiting the use of posters,helicopters and drones, along with prohibition on misuse of artificial intelligence (AI) and social media in election campaigns.
Under the 2025 code, posters are completely banned, while pamphlets, leaflets, handbills, festoons or banners made from non-biodegradable materials such as rexine, polythene or plastic are also prohibited. However, candidates are allowed to install a maximum of 20 billboards in a constituency, each measuring no more than 16 feet by 9 feet.
The parliamentary election code also prohibits malicious use of AI in campaign activities. Harmful content, including hate speech, misinformation, manipulated images, fabricated election-related information and inflammatory language targeting opponents, women, minorities or any other groups, is barred on social media platforms.
Punishment for violating the parliamentary election code was also strengthened, with the maximum penalty increased to six months’ imprisonment and a fine of Tk 150,000, up from six month jail and Tk 50,000 fine previously.
EC officials said the Commission is also considering measures to prevent undue influence by members of parliament in local government elections as the upcoming elections to the local bodies without the use of political party symbols.
Abdur Rahmanel Masud said laws have already been passed in parliament to conduct the elections to local government bodies using non-party electoral symbols.
“We have received copies of the laws… But the commission has not yet decided when the elections will begin. For now, we are keeping preparations in place,” he said.
With the government establishing a designated room named ‘visiting room’ for MPs at the upazila Parishad complex, the EC is thinking of introducing new provisions to prevent lawmakers from influencing in local polls from those offices.
The commission is also planning changes to nomination forms, including mandatory disclosure of overseas assets in affidavits.
Officials said the commission is taking preparations assuming that local government elections may start at the end of this year.
During the Deputy Commissioners’ Conference on May 5, Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin and the four election commissioners instructed field administrators to prepare for local polls and maintain standards similar to parliamentary elections.
According to EC estimates, elections to 12 city corporations, over 450 upazila parishads, more than 300 municipalities and 61 zila parishads are already overdue and can be held immediately without legal complications.
Besides, the legal timeframe for holding elections to around 600 union parishads began in April, making polls mandatory by October next. The 180-day countdown for elections in more than 2,800 additional union parishads will begin by July.
In this situation, the EC would be able to announce election schedules once it receives a green signal from the local government division, although the government has indicated that local government elections may begin at the end of the current year.