Don’t release new projects and funds before polls: EC

Staff Correspondent: The Election Commission (EC) has directed not to take up any new projects, release funds and give grants before the 12th National Assembly elections. This instruction will remain in force until publication of the election results in the gazette.
On Tuesday (November 21), the Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government along with the Deputy Secretary of the EC (Election Management-2 Division) Md.Atiyar Rahman gives the instruction a letter.
According to the EC, as per the Rules of Conduct of Political Parties and Candidates in Parliamentary Elections, 2008 (Annexure-2), this instruction will continue from the date of announcement of the schedule before the election, till the date of publication of the election results in the official gazette. During this period, no Government Beneficiary shall declare or allocate and release grants in favor of any person or group or institution from the funds of very important persons, Government or Semi-Government or Autonomous Institutions. Violation of this provision shall constitute a punishable offence. For this the concerned person will be punishable as per Rule-18 of the Code of Conduct.
In the letter, the EC also informed that in order to keep the 12th National Assembly election free from influence, until the end of the election, any candidate in the constituency can use the property of city corporation, municipality and local government institutions including office, vehicle, mobile, telephone, walkie-talkie or any other facilities for election purposes. no These cannot be used even after paying the fee.
Besides, no officer-employee of the local government institution can be used for election work. No candidate can take decisions regarding invitation, acceptance or cancellation of tenders related to government procurement. According to Rule-3 of the Rules of Conduct of Political Parties and Candidates in Parliamentary Elections, 2008, no government, semi-government and autonomous institutions shall sanction, announce or lay foundation stones or unveil plaques for revenue or development funded projects before elections.
The EC also said that until the 12th National Assembly elections are over, instructions have been given not to sanction grants, distribution of relief or any developmental projects in the constituencies. However, if it is necessary to release or pay money in previously approved projects, instructions have been given to take the consent of the Election Commission on an urgent basis.
Meanwhile, the 12th National Parliament election will be held on January 7. As per the announced schedule, the last date for filing nomination papers for the election is November 30. Scrutiny of nomination papers from 1st to 4th December, appeal and disposal of nominations from 6th to 15th December, last date for withdrawal of candidature is 17th December, allotment of symbols is 18th December, campaigning from 18th December to 5th January at 8 am.