- Senior politicians and young candidates are also violating rules
- No implementation of the announcement of visible action
Candidates are not following the code of conduct of the election. Threatening, attacks and intimidations to the opponents are also going on. The ruling party candidates and their supporters are accused of violating the code of conduct. The Election Commission (EC) has been limited to 'show-cause' after being threatened and redressed. So far, no visible action has been taken, the complainants claimed. One exception is that the EC has decided to file a regular complaint with the court against Jhenaidah-1 constituency's boat candidate Abdul Hai for violating the code of conduct recently. However, there was no information about the complaint filed in the court by the EC till yesterday evening.
Awami League (AL) candidate Farhad Hossain Sangram has threatened to remove the name of Nasir Uddin, chairman of Kura Union Parishad (UP) in Nasirnagar upazila of Brahmanbaria, for working in favour of an independent candidate. The threat was made at an election rally held at Kura High School ground in Nasirnagar on Friday afternoon. Brahmanbaria-1 AL candidate BM Farhad Hossain has been served a show-cause notice by the election search committee. He will have to appear before the District and Sessions Judge's Court at 5 pm on Monday and give a written explanation. Brahmanbaria Senior Assistant Judge Mohammad Rezaul Haque issued the letter yesterday. The letter has been sent to Farhad Hossain, sources said. According to the notice, on December 23, the online edition of a national daily published 'MP wants to remove the chairman's name'.
The MP's statement appears to the committee as a violation of the code of conduct of political parties and candidates in the parliamentary elections. The letter further said, "In such a situation, you (Farhad) have been directed to appear in person in the District and Sessions Judge's Court at 5 pm on Monday and give a written explanation as to why the Election Commission should not be recommended to take necessary action against you." Kura Union Parishad Chairman Nasir Uddin said, "The MP has publicly announced from the public meeting that my name will be removed from Nasirnagar. After this statement, he expressed fear for his safety."
Dhaka South City Corporation ward councillor Salauddin Ahmed has threatened to kill Sujan, a supporter of independent candidate for Dhaka-5 constituency Kamrul Hasan Ripon. Sujan filed a written complaint with Demra Police Station in this regard, but did not get any remedy.
According to the schedule, the symbols were allocated on December 18. The investigation committee has issued a show-cause notice to AL candidate for Cumilla-6 constituency AKM Bahauddin Bahar for making provocative remarks on the day of symbol allocation. Joint District Judge Md Siraj Uddin Iqbal issued the show-cause notice to him on Tuesday.
In the show-cause notice given to Bahar, it was mentioned that you held a courtyard meeting at Kaliajuri PTI School ground in Ward No 3 of Cumilla Metropolitan on December 18 as a candidate of Bangladesh AL’s nominated boat symbol for Cumilla-6 constituency in the 12th parliamentary election. In that meeting, if any BNP or Jamaat activist is found in favour of any candidate, break his hands and legs. I am with you," AKM Bahauddin said.
Due to your statement, there is a possibility that a free, fair and fear-free environment of the election may be hampered and it appears that you have violated Rule 11 (A) of the Political Parties and Candidates Conduct Rules, 2008. In this situation, why the report with recommendations will not be sent to the Election Commission to take necessary action against you in this regard, appear at the office of the Election Search Committee at 11 am on December 24 or show cause through an appropriate representative. Despite the threat, no visible action was taken against the MP.
VIP candidates are not lagging behind in violating election laws and regulations. AL Presidium Member Kazi Zafarullah, central 14-party coordinator Amir Hossain Amu, star candidate Shakib Al Hasan for Magura-1 constituency also violated the electoral code of conduct. They were served notices but no legal action was taken.
Besides, the EC has issued a show-cause notice to Mohammad Solaiman Selim, son of AL candidate for Dhaka-7 constituency Haji Mohammad Selim, for violating the electoral code of conduct. State Minister for Public Administration Farhad Hossain went to the election area with police security violating the code of conduct and joined the public meeting there. Through this, he has violated the election code of conduct. For this reason, the Election Commission's search committee show-cause him.
Textiles and Jute Minister Golam Dastagir Gazi, Narayanganj-1 MP and State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Dr Md Enamur Rahman, Gazipur-2 MP Zahid Ahsan Russell and State Minister for Information and Communication Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak have also been served show-cause notices for violating the electoral code of conduct.
The other MPs are Nur Uddin Chowdhury Nayan of Laxmipur-2, Mia Md Golam Faruk Pinku of Laxmipur-3, Rajiuddin Ahmed of Narsingdi-5, Mohibur Rahman of Patuakhali-4, Meher Afroz of Gazipur-5, Mostafizur Rahman Chowdhury of Chattogram-16, Anwar Hossain Khan of Laxmipur-1, Mrinal Kanti Das of Munshiganj-3, RAM Obaidul Muktadir Chowdhury of Brahmanbaria-3, Kazim Uddin Ahmed Dhanu in Mymensingh-11 and Shafiqul Islam Shimul in Natore-2.
The EC has decided to file a regular complaint with the court against Jhenaidah-1 constituency's AL candidate Abdul Hai for violating the code of conduct. The decision was informed in a letter signed by Deputy Secretary of EC Election Management-2 Branch Md Atiar Rahman on Friday.
According to the letter, the followers of boat symbol candidate Abdul Hai rehearsed on the highway with local weapons and sticks on the weekly market day at Bhatoi Bazar of 14 no Dudhsar Union under Shailakpa Police Station at around 4 pm and created fear in the minds of the people. Violated Rule 11(a) and Rule 12. The Election Commission has decided to take appropriate legal action against the candidates and followers accused of violating the rules. It is also mentioned in the letter that it is requested to file a regular complaint in the concerned learned Judicial Magistrate Court in the above matter.
EC Additional Secretary Ashok Kumar Debnath told reporters after a meeting at the Nirbachan Bhaban on Saturday that the EC will take visible action, not only show-cause notice, if the code of conduct is violated in the 12th parliamentary election. If necessary, the candidacy may be rejected. Replying to a question that the EC is only issuing show-cause notices, not taking any action, Ashok Kumar said now we will not only issue show-cause notices, we will take action based on their (DC, SP) report. You will get a visible update.
He said cases have been filed against those who carried out the attack. The election investigation committee is issuing show-cause notices to those concerned if they do not follow the code of conduct. However, if the second time is taken, action will be taken now. Despite the election official's statement, no action was taken against the violation of the code of conduct. The EC formed 300 election search committees for the 12th parliamentary elections. The committee will submit a report to the EC for violating the code of conduct. Based on this, the EC will decide on the concerned.
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