The Election Inquiry Committee has served show-cause notices to 75 candidates, including Awami League-nominated Barrister M Shahjahan Omar for the Jhalakathi-1 constituency and Shahiduzzaman Sarker, the Awami League candidate for the Naogaon-2 constituency, for violating the code of conduct ahead of the January 7 national parliamentary election.
They have been show-caused for various allegations including receiving receptions upon getting party nominations, motor processions, displaying weapons in meetings and rallies, and threatening rival candidates.
Many of these candidates have since expressed regret for their actions to the committee.
Meanwhile, M Shahjahan Omar met with Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal on Tuesday. He spent about 15 minutes in the CEC's office but refused to discuss the meeting with the media, speaking impolitely to the journalists.
Regarding accusations of law violation, he challenged journalists, asking: “Do you know the law? Who said I broke the law?”
He engaged in an argument and attempted to hit the camera when some journalists tried to take his picture.
The EC's show cause notice mentioned Shahjahan Omar attending a party rally in the town on Monday morning, accompanied by armed BNP leaders and activists. The EC asked him to reply by Tuesday.
When asked why no action was being taken despite issuing show-cause notices to candidates for violating the code of conduct, the CEC refused to comment on the matter.
When asked why Shahjahan Omar visited the commission, the CEC replied: "That is not my concern."
