The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Government yesterday issued a gazette notification lifting ban on indoor politics in the country with some nine conditions.

This will allow political parties to hold indoor meetings from today.

Earlier on March 8 last year, the caretaker government had imposed a total ban on all sorts of political activities, including indoor politics, processions and meetings, across the country.

The conditions for holding such indoor political meetings are:

Concerned Metropolitan Police Commissioner, District Magistrate or Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) must be informed 48 hours before holding any meeting of maximum 200 people.

If more than 200 people attend any such meeting prior permission must be taken 72 hours ahead from concerned Metropolitan Police Commissioners, District Magistrates or Upazila Nirbahi Officers (UNO).

The gazette notification issued by the Home Ministry also said the meeting must be held indoor or inside any residential premises, community centre, hotel, restaurant or office of concerned organization.

No similar meeting will be allowed to be held at any open place, the notification said.

The indoor meetings can only discuss and decide on issues relating parties, organizational activities and election related matters.

The notification further said that the activities of meetings cannot be broadcast or telecast live by any electronics media but news and pictures of the meeting can be aired as part of the scheduled news bulletins.

The indoor meetings would not be allowed to use microphones so that the discussions cannot be heard outside, the notification added.