Candidates are campaigning around the upcoming 12th National Assembly elections. And as part of the campaign, the posters of the candidates are being hung all over the city. Just looking at the sky, you can see the poster. But most of these posters are laminated. Although, these posters are made using plastic and polythene.
Use of laminate to make paper posters durable. In this, polluting products have become one of the campaign tools for the candidates. They are promising to build a modern, developed and beautiful city without causing environmental pollution.
In all the constituencies of Brahmanbaria district, it can be seen on the ground, the Awami League candidate of Brahmanbaria-3 seat, R.A.M. UbaidulMoktadirChowdhury (Boat), independent candidate FerozurRahman Olio (Kanchi), SohelMolla of Supreme Party (Ektara), the Awami League of Brahmanbaria-5 seat. Candidate FaizurRahmanBadal, candidate Maulana Mehdi Hasan of IslamiOikyajot, HabiburRahman of Trinamool BNP (Sonani Ash), Md Mubarak Hasan (Plow) of Jatiya Party can be seen in plastic or polythene wrapping on the candidates’ posters.
Candidates are taking advantage of the absence of clear explanation in the law regarding the use of posters and the law regarding the use of polythene in the Election Act.
Almost all election posters are laminated on the pretext that the posters may get damaged due to fog, moisture or dust or any other reason. These polythene will remain for a long time. Burning again will cause air pollution.
According to the sources of the District Environment Department, 9 to 18.5 grams of polythene is used in the plastic laminated posters of the candidates participating in the elections. These wastes including polythene will be accumulated in various drains of the city. As a result, it will pollute the environment on the one hand, and on the other hand it will also contribute to waterlogging by trapping rainwater.
According to environmentalists, these non-degradable polythene will accumulate at the bottom of rivers, ponds, reservoirs and damage the environment. Being non-biodegradable, they seriously destroy the fertility of the soil. Polythene disrupts the normal flow of water at all levels, from drains to rivers. Even if it is burned, the air becomes polluted. Posters should not be laminated. They have no other function but to end up in the dumping ground for years and harm the environment.
Brahmanbaria Environment Department Deputy Director Md. KhaledHasan said, putting up posters of election candidates is a common thing. But polythene wrapped posters are not environment friendly. Moreover, I don’t know much about the prohibition of hanging polythene-wrapped or laminated posters in the Election Code of Conduct Act.
In this regard, District Returning Officer and Deputy Commissioner Md. HabiburRahman said that polythene or laminated posters cannot be hung in the elections. There is a provision to remove the posters of the candidates and to fine the candidates for the same. Arrangements will be made to find out where there are laminated posters in Brahmanbaria.
