Dhaka, Jan 29 (V7N) — The Election Commission (EC) has directed that government officials will not be allowed to campaign for either ‘yes’ or ‘no’ in the referendum scheduled to be held on February 12, the same day as the 13th National Parliament elections.

The directive was issued through a notification signed by EC Secretariat Deputy Secretary Mohammad Monir Hossain on Thursday.

According to the notification, drawing attention to Section 21 of the Referendum Ordinance, 2025 and Article 86 of the Representation of the People Order, 1972, any person engaged in the service of the Republic may inform and raise public awareness about the referendum. However, they cannot directly or indirectly call on the public to vote in favor of either ‘yes’ or ‘no’.

The EC warned that such actions could influence the outcome of the referendum, and any violation would be considered a punishable offence under the relevant provisions of the Referendum Ordinance, 2025 and the Representation of the People Order, 1972.

The directive aims to ensure neutrality of the administration and maintain a fair and transparent referendum process, the EC said.

END/SMA/AJ