New electoral code of conduct disappoints press owners, workers

Golam Mostafa Jibon:

A black cloud of catastrophe has come down in the printing press business due to lack of adequate orders making the owners and workers of the presses across the country disappointed.

The new code of conduct announced by the Election Commission (EC) on Monday last around the upcoming 13th national parliament election has widened the disappointment one more step.

The Election Commission (EC) has already published a gazette in this regard banning use of posters for the political parties and candidates.

According to the code of conduct-2025, political parties and candidates won’t be allowed to use posters in election campaign while announcement of election manifesto in a single platform and giving undertaking to follow the code of conduct have been made mandatory for parties and candidates.

In case of violation of the code of conduct, there is a provision of a maximum penalty of six months imprisonment and a fine of Tk 150,000 for each of candidates and Tk 150,000 for the party.

Though, environmentalists appreciated the decision as a good one, economists believe that, it has destroyed the dreams of traders and workers, who are involved with printing press business as well as it will fetch a negative impact on the country’s economy.

Arun Kumar, owner of a printing press at Fakirapool area in the capital said, “Printing press business has been facing manifold crisis since July of the last year (2024). Due to instability across the country and lack of political activities, the business faces slump situation. We have thought that, the business will get a new pace before upcoming national polls with the starting of political activities. Candidates will print their posters and leaflets for their electoral campaign. But the dream turns to a nightmare as the Election Commission (EC) has issued new code of conduct banning the posters for upcoming national parliament election. If candidates refrain from printing electoral posters and leaflets, press owners will incur huge losses as the time before each election is termed as a peak business season for printing presses.”

“The announcement of EC banning use of posters and leaflets has made the printing press traders and workers disappointed seriously. I am not out of them,” Arun added.

Sanowar Hossain, Owner of Modina Printing Press in Sirajganj town said, “Printing books and business cards is not just work of printing presses. These play vital role as an integral part of the country’s social and political environment. As the election period comes or political tensions rise, printing presses work 24 hours a day, producing campaign posters, event banners and other promotional materials, which keep the country’s economy vibrant.”

“But now, we are passing idle time for want of works. There is no demand for press works. People are going to print digital sign or banners in another section. As a result, press owners can’t pay wages to their staffs and workers. Many are being forced to shut down their shutters after selling their machines due to lack of adequate works. Many have sat on the way due to catastrophe in the business,” he added.

Azahar Ali, owner of a printing press at Banglabaza’ar area in the capital said, “We basically print various types of books including poetry, novels, short stories and rhyme books. Each year, the pressure of such book printing goes up before Ekushey Book Fair in February. But this year, there is no such as pressure of printing books due to new government and new political turning. We are in fear that how we will bear the expenses of our press in future.”

Abdul Zabbar, owner of a printing press at Bogura town said, “We are now carrying the printing press business as a burden as there is no sufficient works for press. We are paying wages of the staffs and workers from our personal funds or selling properties. Small shape works like printing of wedding cards, restaurant menu or packets are now means of our livelihoods. But, these are not enough to sustain.”

“If the government does not support us, it will not be possible to sustain the printing business for future,” he added.