73 candidates summoned for violating conduct rules in 13th parliamentary election

Among those summoned, 35 are from BNP, 18 from Jamaat-e-Islami, 4 from National Citizens Party (NCP), and 3 from Islami Andolan Bangladesh. Additionally, two each from Jatiya Party and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, one each from Gana Adhikar Parishad, Khelafate Majlish, AB Party, and Labour Party, and five independent candidates received notices.

The Election Commission stated that candidates were warned to ensure compliance with conduct rules. In some cases, mobile courts imposed fines. In Madaripur, three candidates were fined 50,000 Taka each; a candidate in Narayanganj-3 (Sonargaon) received 10,000 Taka; a Jamaat candidate in Panchagarh-2 was fined 1,000 Taka; an independent candidate in Lalmonirhat-1 received 20,000 Taka, and another in Jhenaidah-4 received 2,000 Taka. Additionally, in three constituencies of Feni, 12 candidates and leaders were fined a total of 129,000 Taka.

Election rules prohibit candidates or parties from campaigning three weeks before voting. Violations may result in up to six months imprisonment, a fine of 1.5 lakh Taka, or both. For parties, the maximum fine is 1 lakh Taka. The EC also has the power to cancel candidacy for conduct violations.

Experts note that non-compliance with conduct rules can jeopardize the transparency and integrity of elections. Former Chief of the Election Reform Commission Badiul Alam Majumdar said, “Compliance with election conduct rules will only be verifiable after candidacy is finalized. The EC, law enforcement, political parties, and candidates all must act responsibly.”

Some candidates who received summons have stated that they will make every effort to comply with the law, and any inadvertent violation will be corrected promptly. These events underscore the importance of observing conduct rules to ensure free and fair elections.