Aditmari Upazila Parishad Election in Lalmonirhat has been postponed after a case was filed against the assistant personal secretary (APS) of the social welfare ministerMizanur Rahman, APS of lawmaker from Lalmonirhat 2 constituency and Social Welfare Minister Nuruzzaman Ahmed, was accused of using his influence to win the polls for Rafiqul Islam, who is running for the upazila chairman post with Awami League's boat symbol.
Assistant Returning Officer and Aditmari Upazila Election Officer Abu Sayem filed the case against Mizanur, with Aditmari police station on Friday night, confirmed Officer-in-Charge (OC) Masud Rana.
However, police are yet to arrest the accused.
Upazila Election Officer Abu Sayem said he filed the case under the Election Commission's instructions, after Mizanur was accused of coercing voters and running campaigns publicly or indirectly for Rafiqul Islam- despite Mizanur enjoying government amenities.
"Mizanur was directly campaigning for Rafiqul by initially being physically present in Aditmari, and later, through phone calls from Dhaka," Sayem said. "A number of brutal clashes took place in the electoral areas over Mizanur's activities."
While general voters did not mind the delay, the candidates were none too thrilled.
Independent candidate for the upazila chairman post Imrul Kayes Faruq Pradhan- also an Awami League leader- submitted a written complaint to the Election Commission against Mizanur on Wednesday.
The Aditmari upazila polls were scheduled to be held on Sunday, along with the first phase of voting.
Sources from Ministry of Social Welfare and Aditmari Upazila Nirbahi Officer's Office said, Mizanur was appointed as Nuruzzaman Ahmed's APS when he became the state minister during the formation of the 10th parliament.
Later, when Nuruzzaman became the social welfare minister in the 11th parliament, he reappointed Mizanur Rahman as his APS.
Since then, Mizanur has been using his power and influence in Aditmari.
On Friday, an emergency meeting regarding this matter was held under Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda, as the case had garnered much criticism and discussion everywhere.
Lalmonirhat Election Officer and Returning Officer of Aditmari Upazila Parishad Election Manjurul Hasan said: "I received the letter containing the Election Commission's directives on Friday.
"All documents regarding the issue were sent to Assistant Returning Officer and Aditmari Upazila Election Officer Abu Sayem, upon which Sayem filed the case with Aditmari police station," he said.
The new date for holding the Aditmari polls is yet to be announced, he said.
Dhaka Tribune was unable to contact Mizanur, as he was not picking up the calls.
