Two newly elected Awami League MPs – Monirul Islam of Jessore 1 and Sheikh Afil Uddin of Jessore 2 – criticised the Election Commission and mass media in reply of a show cause notice.
Of the two lawmakers, Afil was elected uncontested and Monirul in the January-5 poll.
The lawmakers replied to the show cause on Wednesday, criticising the EC, electoral enquiry committee and five newspapers – Dinkal, Prothom Alo, Manabzamin, Dhaka Tribune and Daily Star.
The lawmakers in the reply of the show cause notice said the Election Commission could not cancel their candidatures after election.
If the returning officer wanted, he could cancel their candidature before the parliamentary polls, they said.
They also blamed the commission for using indecent word against them and urged the EC to withdraw it.
Afil, who is also the vice-president of Jessore district unit Awami League, allegedly called upon his supporters to ensure win of Monirul by occupying poll centres and casting false votes.
He made the directives while speaking as chief guest at a view-exchange meeting with Monirul’s polling agents on Parbazar High School premises in Jhikargachha upazila on December 30.
A video clip of his speech was also reached at journalists’ hand.
About the news story, they said the news published in the newspaper was not correct and the report made with false information with a view to create controversy. Attaching the copies of news items, the EC issued the show cause notice to them for violating the electoral code of conduct on January 7.
The commission, however, will hold hearing over the matter on January 27, EC officials said.