AL lawmakers continue to flout polls rules
Awami League lawmakers continue to violate electoral code of conduct by taking part in campaign and election-related activities for the party mayor candidates of Dhaka city corporation polls.
Yesterday, AL lawmaker Sadek Khan joined a street meeting in Agargaon area, seeking vote for party-nominated Dhaka North City Cooperation mayor candidate Atiqul Islam.
Atiqul was scheduled to be at “Shatadaal Complex” playground in the area, but he did not show up till noon. Meanwhile, Sadek Khan participated in the campaign there.
When journalists asked the MP why he joined the campaign violating polls code, he replied, “I merely came to see the campaign. I won’t participate in any activity.”
He left the place soon after the inquiries from journalists.
Asked, DNCC Returning Officer Abul Kashem said if MPs participate in the electoral campaign, asking votes for the mayor or councillor candidates then it is of course a violation.
“However, I need to look into the matter whether he [Sadek Khan] participated in the campaign,” he added.
Though Atiqul was not available for comments, his media coordinator Saifuddin Emon said, “He [Sadek Khan] just came to see the campaign as the area falls under his constituency. He did not seek votes.”
On Saturday, Sadek Khan and another AL MP Aslamul Haque joined campaign for the same mayor candidate.
Awami League lawmakers are participating in the campaign and other electoral process, when the ruling party and Election Commission are at loggerheads over MPs participation in the campaigns and election-related activities for Dhaka city polls -- slated for January 30.
It began after AL on January 3 formed two committees comprising several lawmakers like Tofail Ahmed, Amir Hossain Amu, Faruk Khan, Mahbubul Alam Hanif and Agriculture Minister Muhammad Abdur Razzaque to coordinate campaigns for mayor aspirants from the AL tent.
Two days later, another AL lawmaker Sahara Khatun inaugurated an election office for their DNCC mayor candidate.
On several occasions, AL leaders have demanded that MPs and ministers be allowed to take part in campaigns.
Election Commissioner Mahbub Talukdar on Monday urged the commission to issue a specific circular stating that lawmakers and ministers will not be able to take part in any election-related activity during the upcoming polls.
Meanwhile, BNP DNCC mayor candidate Tabith Awal campaigned in Badda, Notun Bazar, Shahjadpur, Noorerchala and Baridhara areas yesterday.
Speaking to prospective voters in Merul Badda area, Tabith said he will work for solving issues like proper waste management, waterlogging and sewerage problems in the area, if elected.
BNP chairperson’s adviser Joynal Abedin Faruk and other party leaders accompanied him.
DSCC
Yesterday, BNP mayor candidate Ishraque Hossain campaigned in Khilgaon, Sabujbagh and Mugda areas.
During the campaign, he blamed the government for not creating a “level playing field” for the election and promised to develop the neglected areas of DSCC, if elected mayor.
Meanwhile, AL mayor candidate Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh campaigned in Kamrangirchar area (Ward 55-57).
He made door-to-door visits, handed out leaflets to passers-by and spoke to locals about their problems.