DHAKA, May 21, (V7N) – The Election Commission (EC) today granted in-principle approval, subject to several amendments, to the draft code of conduct for political parties and candidates. This approval also extended to the polling center establishment and management policy for parliamentary elections, as well as the corresponding policy for local government elections.

The approval was made during a commission meeting held at the Nirbachan Bhaban in the capital's Agargaon area.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Election Commissioner Brigadier General (retd) Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah stated, "We reviewed the drafts of the code of conduct for political parties and candidates, the polling center establishment and management policy for the national elections, and the policy over polling centers in local government elections. All drafts were thoroughly discussed and approved in principle with some modifications."

Officials indicated that the commission is expected to finalize these policies following further review and consultations with stakeholders.

The election commissioner added, "We will have to wait for a few more days to finalize the policies. The relevant committee will work on these and present those to the commission. However, there are also issues of recommendations and other amendments from the reform commission."

He highlighted that the proposed code of conduct incorporates various new elements, including election campaigning under the supervision of the EC, social media guidelines, and party and candidate certification.

Sanaullah also noted significant amendments, stating, "Among the notable amendments, we have abolished the committee that worked for formulating a policy of setting up and managing polling centers for the National Parliament elections. It has been brought under the commission. Secondly, we have cancelled the issues related to EVMs."

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