The Election Commission has issued verbal warnings to three ruling party MPs over campaigning on behalf of the Awami League mayor candidate for Rajshahi City Corporation election.
Rajshahi 3 constituency MP Ayeen Uddin, Rajshahi 5 constituency MP Abdul Wadud, and Natore Sadar constituency MP Shafiqul Islam Shimul were warned for taking part in a campaign on July 19.
Rajshahi district Election Officer and Assistant Returning Officer Atiar Rahman said: “Investigations into prior allegations yielded no results, but after we were informed, we issued verbal warnings to the MPs and asked them to leave the area. If the MPs do not listen to our instructions, legal measures will be taken against them.
The local BNP accused Awami League of breaching the electoral code of conduct on a number of separate accounts.
A formal complaint was lodged regarding the matter by BNP with the local returning officer by BNP’s Rajshahi district unit president and chief polling agent Tofazzal Hossain Topu.
BNP accused the ruling party of breaching the electoral code of conduct on eight different accounts, including – a publicity campaign for boat run by the MPs; the detainment of Jubo Dal President Mainul Islam Haru, Ward 9 BNP leader Shibli, Rajpara thana Chhatra Dal General Secretary Hafizul Islam on July 20; and the coercion of city corporation officials and employees into running publicity campaigns for boat.
The complaint also stated that the returning officer was yet to take action regarding any other complaint made so far, and asked for a quick close to the mass arrests, threats, and other violations of electoral conduct.
“We will look into the matter of detainment without a warrant, as law enforcement agencies have already been asked not to do this,” Returning Officer Atiar said.
Rajshahi Metropolitan Police spokesperson and Senior Assistant Commissioner Iftekhar Alam said: “Running drives for drugs, militancy, and vandalism are a regular feature for us. We are only detaining people who are involved with such activities, and not anyone connected to the election.”
The Rajshahi City Corporation polls are to be held on July 30.
