In a continuation of breaches of the electoral code of conduct, the country on Tuesday saw a number of clashes and arson attacks centering on the January 7 polls with the Election Commission (EC) serving show-cause notices to many of those responsible.
The clashes, most of them involving the ruling party’s candidates, left dozens of people injured.
The followers of the Awami League-backed candidate clashed with the supporters of an independent candidate for the Barisal-2 constituency.
Several clashes and counter-clashes took place in Banaripara upazila of the district. The almost hour-long brawl ended at around 3:15pm as the administration intervened.
Nearly 40 people were injured and some 12 motorbikes were set afire during the clashes.
In Khagrachhari, several leaders and activists of the Awami League were attacked as they were campaigning for the party’s candidate in Laxmichhari upazila.
Several rounds of bullets were also fired, but no casualties were reported from those.
Arson attacks
Another campaign office of Bangladesh Kalyan Party candidate from Cox's Bazar-1 (Chakaria-Pekua) constituency Syed Muhammad Ibrahim was burnt down in Chakaria upazila at around 4:00am. A guard of the camp was injured in the incident.
Two election camps of the Awami League and independent candidates for the Natore-1 seat were set on fire in the district’s Lalpur upazila.
Actions by EC, more complaints
Sirajganj-4 (Ullapara) constituency Awami League-nominated candidate Shafiqul Islam Shafi was served a show-cause notice for violating the electoral code of conduct.
He is accused of holding an election rally in a huge pandal in Hatikumrul area on Monday.
The election inquiry committee on Monday issued a show-cause letter to the Comilla City Corporation (CoCC) Chief Executive Officer Md Shamsul Alam for seeking votes for the Awami League MP nominated candidate in the Comilla-6 constituency.
Shamsul, however, denied the allegation.
An independent candidate yesterday filed complaints against two teachers for campaigning for the Boat candidate in the Dhaka-20 constituency.
The accused are Nobojug College Vice Principal Jahangir Alam and Hamida Afaz Girls High School teacher Altaf Hossain Labu.
In response to the accusations, Labu refuted the claims of active campaigning.
Meanwhile, Jahangir Alam defended his actions by pointing out that many teachers are involved in various political roles.
The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) on Monday arrested six people, including Sonatala upazila Awami League president in connection with a case filed for assaulting an independent candidate’s activist in Bogra-1 constituency.
Members of RAB-12 arrested them from Saidabad area on Monday night when they were trying to flee to Dhaka.
Two cases were filed against two local leaders of Awami League and Chhatra League yesterday for allegedly violating the electoral code of conduct by delivering their controversial speeches in Pabna’s Chatmohor.
They are the supporters are the party’s candidate Md Mokbul Hossain in the Pabna-3 constituency.
Barrister Syed Sayedul Haque Suman, an independent candidate for Habiganj-4 constituency, in his reply to the Election Inquiry Committee, denied violating the electoral code of conduct.
Suman allegedly used Bangabandhu's picture and "Joy Bangla, Joy Bangabandhu" slogan in his leaflets.
He was served a show-cause notice to the candidate on Monday.
A case was filed against Abdul Hyee, the Awami League candidate for the Jhenaidah-1 seat, for violating the electoral code of conduct.
An independent candidate accused Awami League candidate for Brahmanbaria-2 Shahjahan Alam of threatening his followers.
Kazi Abdul Wadud Dara, the Awami League candidate for the Rajshahi-5 constituency, offered unconditional apology over the polls code breach.
