DHAKA: The High Court on Wednesday (Jan 22) banned printing and using laminated posters in the Dhaka city corporation area.

The bench of Justice M Enayetur Rahim and Justice Md Mostafizur Rahman issued the suo moto order with a rule when two lawyers had drawn the court’s attention in this regard and sought necessary steps.

The HC issued the rule asking authorities concerned to explain in four weeks why it should not direct to stop printing and exhibiting laminated posters during elections.

The Election Commission, Secretary to the Election Commission, secretaries to ministries of local government, industries, health, executive officers of the two city corporations and others concerned were made respondents to the rule.

Advocate Manoj Kumar Bhoumik and Sulaiman Hawladar drew the court’s attention to a report published by a daily.

The report mentioned how the mayor and councillor candidates were promising clean and green Dhaka but were flooding the electoral areas with posters covered in polythene.

Although plastic is harmful to the environment, the candidates are using the item to protect the posters from rain, fog, moisture or dust, the report added.

The court has ordered ceasing the production and exhibition of laminated posters all over the country, particularly in Dhaka city corporation areas, until the rule is disposed of, Manoj told reporters.

The court also ordered to immediately remove all posters after the Dhaka city polls and dispose of them properly.

BDST: 1402 HRS, JAN 22, 2020
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