The Representation of the People Order, 1972, specifies that a candidate's electioneering expenditure must not surpass Tk25 lakh. However, in the 12th general election, an Awami League leader spent Tk1.26 crore, surpassing the legal limit by a significant margin, and got elected.
Taking part at a reception program on March 26, Freedom Fighter Abul Kalam Azad, wearing a Mujib coat, announced that he would recover the expenses through irregularities. A video of the speech went viral on social media.
Azad, vice-president of Natore district Awami League, contested the election from Natore-1 (Lalpur-Bagatipara) constituency as an independent MP. He won by getting 77,943 votes. His closest rival, previous lawmaker of the seat Shahidul Islam Bakul, got 75,947 votes.
Despite the incident causing a stir nationwide, the election office seems indifferent to the matter. Natore District Election Officer Abdul Latif Sheikh did not receive phone calls despite being contacted several times for comment regarding the matter.
However, Rajshahi Regional Election Officer Delwar Hossain said the parliament speaker and the court can take necessary steps in this regard. “Our election office has nothing to do about it.”
The Independence Day discussion program was organized by the Lalpur Upazila administration to show formal respect to Freedom Fighters. Speaking as the chief guest, the MP said: "I had no assets except salary and allowances for five years (2014-2018). This time (in the January 7 election), Tk1.26 crore was spent for carrying out election campaigns. I'll raise that money anyhow... I acknowledge that I will commit this irregularity and I pledge not to repeat it in the future."
Lalpur Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Sharmin Akhter, Upazila Parishad Chairman Ishaque Ali, Upazila Awami League President Aftab Hossain Zhulfu and officials of the upazila administration were present at the program when Azad made the statement.
When contacted, Azad clarified that the video footage did not capture his full statement, and there were additional parts of his speech that were not included.
He told Dhaka Tribune that there is no need to take the election expenditure of Tk1.26 crore seriously, as he had made the statement in good faith.
UNO Sharmin Akhter said she did not understand why the MP said such a thing in front of everyone. “But we were embarrassed.”
Azad’s rival during the election, Shahidul Islam Bakul, said that legal action should be taken against the MP for what he said.
“Let's see if he can be sued. Being a lawmaker, what he said at the Independence Day function is a violation of the spirit of our independence and the Constitution,” Bakul told Dhaka Tribune.
Natore Corruption Resistance Committee President and former principal Abdur Razzak said: "It is very unfortunate that a lawmaker made a public announcement of having committed irregularities and corruption at a program. Such a statement by the MP will encourage his party leaders and workers to indulge in corruption.”
