Staff Reporter
Step is under process to take legal action by the Election Commission (EC) against the election rules violators, including ministers and ruling party MPs, according to a highly placed source.
The measures are being taken as allegations were made from different upazilas of influencing the polls and violation of election code of conduct by ministers and MPs during the election.
The source said a case has already been filed against a ruling party MP in Cox’s Bazar in this connection.
When contacted Election Commissioner Brig Gen (Retd) Sakhawat Hossain told The New Nation that the Commission would obviously take action against those who violated the election code of conduct during the January 22 upazila election.
“We will sit to discuss the matter and determine the next course of action,” he said.
Asked whether the Commission has been carrying out any investigation about the allegations brought against ministers and ruling party MPs, the Election Commissioner said further investigation would not be required.
As per rules, the accused may be imprisoned for a term of two to seven years and fined if they are found guilty of the offences alleged.
State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Abdul Latif Biswas and Awami League lawmaker Abdur Rahman Bodi of Cox’s Bazar-4 constituency reportedly interfered in the polls in Belkuchi upazila in Sirajganj district and Teknaf in Cox’s Bazar respectively.
When contacted the Police Super of Cox’s Bazar confirmed that a case has been filed with Teknaf Police Station yesterday against the local MP on charge of assaulting an officer engaged in election duty.
The EC had earlier in a letter to the Cabinet Division requested all ministers, state ministers, deputy ministers and persons enjoying similar status not to influence the upazila elections in anyway.
Earlier on Thursday, Chief Election Commissioner Dr ATM Shamsul Huda in his reaction expressed dissatisfaction about the influence exerted by the ministers and ruling party MPs in the election.
Talking to reporters he regretted that a minister was found at a polling station at Belkuchi in Sirajganj.
Referring to the interference in the Belkuchi upazila poll, the CEC said the minister stayed there and created problems in polling. “As a result, we were compelled to suspend polling of the upazila,” he said.
The CEC also alleged that Abdur Rahman Bodi, a ruling party lawmaker has beaten up polling officials at Teknaf in Cox’s Bazar.
“Judicial magistrates have already been asked to take legal actions against the two leaders. We are waiting for detail investigation reports, on receipt of which we will take action,” he said.
Another allegation was brought that presence of a minister at Raipura upazila of Narsingdi gave advantage to the candidate his party is backing.
Meanwhile, Abdul Latif Biswas yesterday told reporters that he went to Belkuchi to cast his vote not to influence the election.
He termed the allegation brought against him as a propaganda and said he has become a victim of conspiracy.
Courtesy: nation.ittefaq.com
