Staff Correspondent
The electoral enquiry committee has found specific evidence of violation of the electoral code of conduct against 24 candidates running for the December 29 polls.
The committees, which investigated 27 specific allegations against the contenders from major political parties, including the Awami League, Bangladesh Nationalist Party, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islam, Bikalpadhara Bangladesh and National Awami Party, submitted the reports to the Election Commission Monday for its consideration.
The commission will now review the reports, submitted by its officials after weeks of investigation, whether to warn the violators or to take action under the code of conduct, introduced as part of the government’s electoral reforms package.
Seven of the contenders belong to the Awami League, eight to the BNP, two to Bikalpadhara and one to Jamaat-e-Islami.
According to the reports, the violators are Abdul Mannan of Bikalpadhara for Lakshmipur 4, Md. Abdul Gafur of the BNP for Rajshahi 4, Noor Hossain, running as an independent candidate, for Jessore 1, Sharier Alam of the Awami League for Rajshahi 6, Md. Harun Ur Rashid of the BNP for Chapainawabganj 3, Sarder Amzad Hossain, running independently, and Enamul Haq of the Awami League for Rajshahi 4, Md. Ashraf Ali Khan of the Awami League and Md Ashraf Uddin Khan of the BNP for Netrakona 2, Abdur Rab Chowdhury of the Awami League for Lakshmipur 4, Mohammad Mizanur Rahman of the Awami League for Khulna 2, Md. Azizur Rahman of Jamaat for Jessore 1, Golam Faruk Prince of the AL-led alliance for Pabna 5, Mostafa Faruk Mohammad of the Awami League for Jessore 2, AMB Ashrafuddin Mizan of the BNP for Lakshmipur 4, Nurul Huda of the BNP for Chandpur 2, Md. Saidur Rahman of the National Awami Party for Habiganj 3, Md. Abir Ali Chowdhury of the Jatiya Party for Habiganj 2, SM Faysal of the BNP for Habiganj 4, and Abu Layech Md Mubin Chowdhury of the BNP and Md Abu Zahir of the Awami League for Habiganj 3.
The committee also submitted a report against an NGO executive who sought vote in favour of paddy sheaf while he was distributing relief supplies.
An election commissioner said the allegations were investigated under Section 12 of the code of conduct, not under Section 91E.
He said the commission assigned the National Board of Revenue and the Anti-Corruption Commission to investigate the allegation of hiding information from nomination papers against Abdul Gafur Bhuiyan for the Comilla 10 constituency under 91E which empowers the commission to cancel nomination of a candidate at any stage of the polls process.
The investigation reports said the Bikalpadhara candidate Abdul Mannan flew to his constituency in a helicopter to submit nomination papers.
His election agents had distributed saris, lungis and sweaters among the voters in his constituency, it is alleged.
The inquiry committee recommended measures against Abdul Gafur of Rajshahi and Enamul Haq who had allegedly arranged a motorcycle procession during electioneering.
The mission found evidence of writing on walls against Noor Hosaain for Jessore 1 while it found more than one election camps of Sharier Alam in the Rajshahi 6 constituency.
Harun Ur Rashid for Chapainawabganj 3 blocked roads for electioneering while Sarder Amzad continued pasting bills on walls despite repeated warnings, said the committee, suggesting appropriate measures against them.
Asraf Ali of the Awami League in Netrakana was charged with using PA system before the specified time while his counterpart in the BNP Ashraf Uddin Kahn charged with pasting bills on the walls of the office of the Rural Electrification Board.
The committee found Abdur Rab Chodhury of the Awami League, running for Lakshmipur 3, guilty of writing on walls and Mizanur Rahman, running for Khulna 2,
of setting up a life-size banner. The allegations against other contenders are also similar.
The BNP-led alliance leader running for the Gaibandha 2 constituency on Monday alleged his rival was violating the electoral code of conduct.
Exchanging views with journalists at the Gaibandha Press Club, he alleged his rival had pasted bills on the walls along roads in several places.
He also said a number of upazila chairmen had joined election processions in favour of their party candidate.
He said the returning officer had been informed of the matter and a complaint in writing would soon be lodged.
Courtesy: newagebd.com
