Dhaka: The Election Commission (EC) has instituted a new requirement mandating the submission of bank account numbers for electoral agents, alongside candidates, as part of the electoral expenditure reporting process. This development follows an amendment to the Election Conduct Rules, 2008, formalized through a gazette notification issued on Wednesday.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the EC exercised its authority under Article 94 of the Representation of the People Order, 1972, to modify sub-rule (1) of rule 9 of the Election Conduct Rules, 2008. The revised rule stipulates that both the candidate and their electoral agent must disclose their bank account numbers when completing nomination form-1. Specifically, in the fourth paragraph of form-1 under schedule-1, the term 'candidate or account number of the electoral agent' will be added following the candidate's declaration concerning their bank account for electoral expenditure.
The rule changes facilitate the inclusion of the electoral agent's account number alongside the candidate's, enabling verification of the bank account concerning electoral expenditure. In addition to amending the Election Conduct Rules, 2008, changes have been made to the rules governing candidates' affidavits. The revised affidavit rule clarifies that the term 'accused' refers to an individual who has been formally charged by a court.
Furthermore, the submission of income-related information for a candidate's spouse, children, and dependents has been made optional in the updated rules. The EC has also revised the list of electoral symbols by amending the Election Conduct Rules, 2008. Under sub-rule (1) of rule 9, eligible candidates may select a particular symbol from an approved list of 120 symbols, with the exception of the 'Boat' symbol, which has been suspended under article 1 of chapter 20 of the existing rule.