Election Commissioner Mahbub Talukdar has expressed concerns over lawmakers' involvement in the campaigns for the upcoming polls to the Dhaka North and South city corporations saying it "hampers level-playing field".
In an unofficial note to Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda on Thursday (Jan 9), he stressed strong enforcement of the polls code.
“I have noticed that parliament members are taking part in the campaign ahead of Dhaka north and south city corporation elections which are concerning and is a clear violation of the electoral code of conduct 2016,” he wrote in the note, which was also forwarded to returning officers of the North and South cities.
Key persons within the government cannot take part in the campaign in the electoral areas, Talukdar said citing the code.
"In this context, it's not understandable how they are getting involved in campaigning?" he asked in the note before adding the Election Commission's reputation would be at stake if it continues.
TaIukdar urged concerned authorities to take immediate measures to stop MPs taking part in electioneering ahead of the Dhaka City polls.
Elections to the Dhaka North and South city corporations are slated for Jan 30. The commission has said that the entire balloting will be held through electronic voting machines (EVMs).
Along with electing the mayors, voters in North will also elect 54 ward councillors and 18 reserved women councillors while in South 75 ward councillors and 25 reserved women councillors.