EC revises election code just a week before polls

Election Commission (EC) has revised the election code of conduct just a week before the upcoming parliamentary elections, easing restrictions on the use of microphones at campaign rallies and allowing additional information to be included on voter slips.

According to the amended Parliamentary Election Code of Conduct for Political Parties and Candidates Rules, 2025, candidates or their representatives may now use any necessary number of microphones or loudspeakers at rallies, replacing the previous limit of three.

The commission approved the amendment on January 29, though the gazette notification was uploaded to EC’s website on Wednesday.

The revised code also permits the distribution of voter slips; measuring a maximum of 12cm by 8cm, containing the candidate’s name and election symbol. 

Under the original rules, voter slips were prohibited from displaying any candidate name or symbol.

Election Commission officials said the change to voter slip content followed a demand raised by BNP.

On January 15, a BNP delegation led by Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed met Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin and urged the commission to reconsider the restrictions. 

Following the meeting, Salahuddin told reporters that voter slips should include key information such as voter numbers, candidate names and symbols to help voters identify their preferred candidates more easily.

“Currently, voter slips cannot carry party names, symbols or candidate photographs. We believe these restrictions should be reviewed,” he said, adding that candidates routinely distribute voter slips and that voters are capable of making independent choices.

He also argued that simplifying the voting process would encourage greater voter participation.

The Election Commission announced the schedule for 13th parliamentary election on December 11 last year, confirming that the polls and a referendum on the July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) Implementation Order will be held simultaneously on February 12, 2026.

SH