Bangladesh bans use of live animals in election campaign amid pressure

It also banned the use of cloth for making election posters in two changes brought to the electoral code of conduct for the political parties and candidates on Sunday.

The EC added a new section to outlaw the use of animals in campaign following the Wild Life (Preservation) Act and an appeal by the animal rights activists, EC Secretary Helal Uddin Ahmed told reporters.

It amended the definition of poster, by dropping the word ‘cloth’ from the related section, he said.

“There won’t be any bar on digital campaign. But the candidates cannot use live animals on being assigned any animal as logo. And they cannot use cloth to make posters,” he added.

Digital campaign means any digital display, or campaign through things like leaflets made by using electronic devices, according to EC secretary.

“A candidate with elephant logo cannot use a live elephant, but dummies,” he said.

MPs, ministers and people enjoying government facilities will be able to take part in the campaign following the code. “There won’t be any fresh bar on them,” Helal said.

Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda chaired the meeting attended by three commissioners and senior EC officials. Election Commissioner Mahbub Talukdar was absent as he was abroad.

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