Dhaka, Jan. 29 -- Bangladesh's Election Commission, barring both government officials and public employees from campaigning ahead of the February 12 referendum on the July Charter, has warned all parties that any attempt to influence voters into backing either a "Yes" or "No" outcome would amount to a criminal offence.
In a directive issued on Wednesday, the EC, clarifying permitted discourse about the referendum said, that state employees may explain the fundamentals, working mechanisms, and significance of the referendum to the public but are strictly prohibited from urging voters to support or oppose the proposal.
Doing so, it said, would be violation of Section 21 of the Referendum Ordinance, 2025, and Article 86 of the Representation...