Quiet Campaigning Heats Up the Electoral Field Ahead of Polls
According to Election Commission (EC) directives, no political party, candidate, or supporter can engage in direct campaigning before January 21. However, the reality on the ground shows candidates bypassing the need for posters or loudspeakers. Instead, they are establishing their presence through personal courtesy calls, prayer meetings (Doa Mahfil), social activities, and suggestive speeches.
Professor Kazi Mohammad Mahbubur Rahman of the Department of Political Science at Dhaka University notes that the urge to seek votes is natural. However, he warns that if candidates lack personal integrity, upholding the electoral code of conduct becomes difficult. "Candidates are adopting alternative strategies to solicit votes while technically staying within the restrictions," he observed.
Per the electoral code, formal campaigning must begin after the allocation of symbols on January 22. The voting is scheduled for February 12. All forms of campaigning must cease 48 hours prior to the polls, by midnight on February 10. Despite these rules, candidates are increasingly visible at social, religious, and family gatherings across various seats.
Many candidates are visiting local neighborhoods, shops, educational institutions, and private homes to exchange greetings. Some are using social media to hint at their candidacy through symbolic messages, while incidents of leaflet distribution and sticker placement have also been reported in some areas.
The Election Commission has already issued show-cause notices to several candidates for alleged violations of the code of conduct. Multiple candidates have received notices regarding social media campaigning and public distribution of leaflets. In their defense, the candidates claim their public engagement remains within the legal framework.
Political analysts suggest that this silent and strategic campaigning raises questions about the effectiveness of the electoral code of conduct and the environment for fair competition.
