MPs can join city election campaigns: EC

Election Commission secretary Helal Uddin Ahmed on Thursday said they have amended their election code of conduct rules, allowing Members of Parliaments (MPs) to participate in city corporation election campaigns.

Talking to reporters after an EC meeting at the Nirbachan Bhaban, he said 11 amendments were proposed in the existing Local Government (City Corporation) Act 2016.

Chief election commissioner KM Nurul Huda presided over the meeting.

The secretary said as the MPs do not hold any position in any office of profit, the EC has recommended that they be excluded from the "Very Important Person" (VIP) definition.

This will allow them to take part in electioneering but they will not be able to use Circuit Houses at that time, according to the new amendments.

As per the new amendments, mayoral candidates will be able to set up one election camp in each ward against one in each Thana.

The approved proposals will soon be sent to the law ministry for its vetting.