Mayoral and councillor candidates cannot use laminated posters for their campaigns in the Chittagong City Corporation (CCC) elections scheduled for March 29, Returning Officer Mohammad Hasanuzzaman said today.

The decision came at a meeting of election officials with the RO in his office last night.

"We took the decision considering the fact that the posters laminated with plastic and polythene are harmful for the environment," the RO told our Chattogram correspondent.

Besides, there is an order from the High Court to stop the production and display of laminated posters to save the environment, added Hasanuzzaman, also the Chattogram regional election officer.

Many candidates have used laminated posters for their campaigns in the recently held Dhaka city corporation elections, he said, however, "we have learnt that the use of laminated posters have adverse effects on the environment."  

In response to a query, Hasanuzzaman said if any candidate uses laminated posters for their campaigns by violating the order, they will take necessary action against them as per the electoral code of conduct.

On February 16, the Election Commission announced the schedule for the upcoming CCC elections slated for March 29.

The last date for submission of nomination papers of the aspirants in the election is February 27, while the nomination papers will be scrutinised by the commission officials on March 1, according to the announcement.

Appeals against the EC's scrutiny have to be made between March 2 and 4, while decisions regarding the appeals will be made between March 5 and 7, it also read.

The last date for withdrawal of candidacy is March 8, while candidates will be allotted their election symbols on March 9, according to the EC announcement.