Environmental experts have lauded the Election Commission’s recent decision to prohibit the use of posters in election campaigns, calling it a timely move that could curb environmental pollution and minimise visual and social disturbances across the country.
They said the paper or posters contribute to deforestation, while the plastic coated posters culture —commonly seen during the rainy season— is an environmental disaster as it clogs drains and waterways, and pollutes the environment.
The Election Commission on June 19 approved in principle the draft of the Parliamentary Election Code of Conduct for Political Parties and Candidates 2025, incorporating a provision that bans the use of posters in the electoral campaigns in line with a recommendation made by the Electoral System Reform Commission.
But the provision for the use of billboards during the campaign has been included for the first time in the code of conduct.
Dr Abdul Alim, a member of the electoral reform commission, said the recommendation to prohibit posters was based on four key concerns: environmental degradation, indecent campaigning practices, unregulated expenses and violence triggered by disputes centering posters.
“The use of posters is an indecent practice which is not seen in most of the countries across the world, even a small country like Bhutan,” he told UNB, adding that there are enough alternatives like social media and billboards now.
He said the traditional posters contribute to deforestation and laminated and polythene-coated posters pollute the environment.
“The posters can’t be brought under count or monitoring of the Election Commission. And many incidents of violence were triggered from disputes related to the posters during the election campaign,” Dr Alim said.
According to the Environment and Social Development Organisation (ESDO), around 27,000 tons of plastic-coated posters and cards were used across the country in the 12th parliamentary election held on January 7, 2024. The estimation was made following a survey over printing presses in Dhaka, Chattogram, Sylhet, Rangpur, Khulna, Barishal, and Rajshahi cities.
EC speeds up election preparations after Prof Yunus-Tarique talks in London
ESDO Secretary General Dr Shahriar Hossain told UNB that the use of posters during the election campaign is not seen in any civilised country in the world. “The use of so many posters creates a nuisance. It is just a waste of money and damage to the environment.”
Environmental activist Prof Ahmad Kamruzzaman Majumder said the past bans on laminated posters were not enforced, leading to massive plastic waste during both national and local elections.
He welcomed the EC’s recent move that banned the use of posters in the election campaign saying that it would prevent social nuisance caused by indiscriminate display of posters.
“Plastic-coated posters worsen waterlogging in urban areas by blocking drainage systems, while burning them adds to air pollution,” said Dr Majumder, the Chairman of the Department of Environmental Science at Stamford University Bangladesh.
Besides, thousands of tons of papers are needed during the election campaign, which means it contributes to deforestation, he added.
Dr Majumder said if this ban is effectively enforced it may lead to a cleaner campaign culture in Bangladesh.
Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA) General Secretary Alamgir Kabir also praised the EC’s step, saying it would save trees and reduce chemical pollution linked to paper production.
Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA) General Secretary Alamgir Kabir said it is a good step that would ultimately save trees and reduce the discharge of untreated chemicals used in paper production and thus lessen the damage to the environment.
However, Kabir raised concern over the newly introduced allowance for billboards—particularly those made of panaflex—warning that they too could harm the environment if not regulated.