The Election Commission (EC) remains vigilant in ensuring a fair and impartial electoral environment as the nation gears up for Sunday’s parliamentary polls.
Several incidents of electoral code of conduct violations have led to swift action against candidates and officials involved.
Ziaul Morshed, the officer-in-charge of Gopalpur police station in Tangail, has been withdrawn from his position just three days before the national election following the EC’s directives.
The decision came after independent candidate Yunus Islam Talukdar Thandu of Tangail-2 (Gopalpur-Bhuapur) lodged multiple complaints against the OC. The EC, through a letter signed by Deputy Secretary Md Mizanur Rahman, emphasized the need for a fair and impartial election and assigned another officer to the station.
In Pirojpur-2 constituency, the EC has ordered the filing of a First Information Report (FIR) against Bhandaria Upazila Chairman Mirazul Islam Miraj. The decision came after Miraj made objectionable and provocative remarks on December 24 in the presence of independent candidate Mohiuddin Maharaj.
The Election Inquiry Committee submitted a report asserting that Miraj violated the Representation of the People Order (RPO) and the Code of Conduct.
Meanwhile, the allegations against suspended Additional Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Hamidul Alam Milon of participating in the election campaign on behalf of his wife, independent candidate Shahajadi Alam Lipi in Bogra-1 constituency, have been proven. The chairman of the electoral inquiry committee and Joint District and Session Judge Mosa Shahnaz Parveen confirmed the validity of the complaint, recommending legal action against Milon.
Furthermore, the EC has directed officials to file a case against Swechchhasebak League leader Liton Sarkar over allegations of threatening independent candidate Md Abul Kalam Azad in the Comilla-4 constituency.
Liton Sarkar, a follower of the Awami League candidate Raji Mohammad Fakhrul, issued a threat against Azad during a Jubo League program on December 5. The Election Commission, through a letter signed by Deputy Secretary Abdus Salam, instructed the local upazila election officer to file a complaint against Liton Sarkar for violating the electoral code of conduct.
Debidwar Upazila Election Officer Faruk Hossain confirmed the receipt of the letter and said that they are preparing to file the complaint against Liton Sarkar. The EC remains committed to maintaining a conducive and unbiased electoral atmosphere, urging all stakeholders to adhere to the prescribed code of conduct, he added.
The Election Commission (EC) has also instructed the filing of a formal complaint in court against Md Mohiuddin Bachchu, the Awami League's candidate for Chittagong-10 constituency. The decision comes in response to allegations of violating the code of conduct by distributing government grant checks to imams and muezzins of mosques.
EC Secretariat Deputy Secretary (Law) Md Abduch Salam conveyed the decision to the Chittagong District and Khulshi Thana Election Officers on Thursday. Chittagong district Election Officer Enamul Haque said that they are in the preliminary preparations of filing a complaint following discussions with the public prosecutor.
A show cause notice has also been served to Anwer Khan Modern Hospital owner Anwer Khan, Awami League candidate for the Lakshmipur-1 (Ramganj) constituency, for openly distributing money to voters.
Noakhali Senior Assistant Judge Polash Bardhan, also the chairman of the Election Inquiry Committee for the Luxmipur-1 constituency, served him the show-cause notice. The Boat candidate has been asked to appear in person or send a representative to the Lakshmipur District and Sessions Judge court building by 10am on Saturday to give a written explanation.
In another development, Mostafizur Rahman Chowdhury, Awami League candidate and current MP from Chittagong-16 (Banshkhali), allegedly threatened the police with dire consequences if any of his followers were detained, according to a viral audio recording.
A media report, citing the recording, mentioned that Mostafizur, who is already being sued by the EC for attacking journalists recently, made the threat in a phone call to Banshkhali police station Officer-in-Charge Tofail Ahmed on Wednesday, following a police raid to apprehend some of his followers in Chhonua Union.
