2024-03-21 08:38:20
The Election Commission (EC) has relaxed the provision of independent candidates in the Upazila Parishad elections. So far, to become an independent candidate for the post of chairman, the supporting signatures of 250 voters had to be submitted along with the nomination paper. It is no longer needed.
This information has emerged in the ‘Upzilla Election Conduct Rules 2024’ issued by the EC on Tuesday (March 19). Further amendments have been made in the rules published in the gazette form. Among them, to compete for the post of Chairman of the Upazila Parishad, one has to give a security deposit of Tk 1 lakh, and for the post of Vice Chairman, a security deposit of Tk 75 thousand has to be given. Earlier, the bail was Tk 10,000 in both cases.
As per the new rules, the proof of filing of income tax return has to be submitted along with the nomination paper. TIN number to be mentioned. Apart from this, the ‘election period’ has also been amended. The revised election period has been made 15 days from the announcement of the schedule to the publication of the gazette. Also, it has added the provision of online submission of nomination papers. A candidate contesting for the post of Chairman or Vice-Chairman can spend not more than Tk 25 lakh in election expenses and a candidate contesting in the post of ‘Women Member’ can spend not more than Tk 1 lakh in election expenses.
Under the previous rules, security was forfeited if less than 12.5 percent of the votes cast. The revised rules revised it to 15 percent.
Earlier, candidates could participate in the campaign from three weeks before polling. This time it has been corrected and it has been said that the campaign will start from the day of allotment of symbols. This time digital and social media have also been added under the campaign.
As per the new rules, candidates can make colored posters and banners in addition to black and white. Apart from this, the EC’s power to suspend election results and order a re-poll has been clarified.
EC will elect 481 Upazila Parishads in four phases next May. The first phase of voting will be held on May 4, the second phase on May 11, the third phase on May 18 and the fourth phase on May 25.
Awami League has said that they will not give party symbols in any local government elections this time. BNP’s boycott of parliamentary elections may not come in this election. As a result, this year’s Upazila Parishad election will be mainly among independent candidates.