An Awami League backed candidate is allegedly forcing teachers and students of different schools at Betagi upazila in Barguna to take part in his election campaign, hampering their educational activities.
Election to Betagi upazila will be held during the third phase of the upazila poll scheduled to be held on March 23.
In this regard, the BNP-backed candidate Shahjahan Kabir sent a written complainant to the local administration, seeking measures.
In the letter, the rival candidate said AL-backed chairman candidate Golam Kabir had been forcing teachers and students with the help of local administration to join his election campaign.
Teachers of Betagi Degree Collage, Putiakhali Secondary School, Bibichini Talgachia Secondery School, Kaunia Collage, Chopkhali Secondery School and Chopkhali Johur Uddin Madrassah, Dokkhin Chopkhali Gpvernment Primary School, Danmari Chatra Government Primary School, Uttara Chopkhali Government Primary School, and Char Chokhali Government Primary School could not do their regular activities as they have to participate in election campaign.
If the teachers are entrusted with the responsibility of presiding officer and polling officer, they would get involved in vote rigging, the letter said.
Some teachers, who preferred to be unnamed, said, they were participating in election campaign following the directives of local Awami League leaders.
Betagi Upazila Secondary Education Officer Shahjahan Ali Sheikh said, “We will not engage the teachers, who are working for an Awami League candidate, in election jobs.”
Additional Deputy Commissioner (general) Mohammad Ali, who is now also serving as district returning officer, said “We will take legal actions as a chairman candidate made complaint against his rival candidate.”
Golam Kabir, however, differed with the allegation and said, “No one is participating in election campaign halting educational activities as far as I know. Everyone, after finishing office hours, is doing election campaign.”
