Dhaka: Bangladesh's Election Commission today asked former Premier Sheikh Hasina's Awami League (AL) to stick to the poll code of conduct, saying it had violated the regulation by turning Hasina's "reception" into an "election campaign" this morning.

Hasina returned home today after five months of medical treatment in the US to lead her party in general elections scheduled for next month as thousands of party activists and supporters packed the route to the airport to greet her.

"As directed by the Election Commission, you are being specially requested to refrain from such activities to ensure the congenial atmosphere ahead of the upcoming general elections," said a letter signed by a deputy secretary of the commission addressed to AL's acting general secretary Syed Ashraful Islam.

The letter alleged that vehicular processions staged to receive Hasina caused severe traffic congestions in certain areas of the city disrupting movement of ordinary people and exposing them to extreme difficulties.

Moreover, the letter said, colourful posters with prospective party candidates were pasted on vehicles while street marches were staged with the party symbol during the reception "practically turning it into an election campaign".

"This has caused the violation of the election code of conduct-2008," which debars registered political parties and candidates from staging any sort of campaign before three weeks of the declared election date.

 

Source : PTI