EC sues MP Nixon Chy for violating polls code

Mujibur Rahman Chowdhury. Photo: Collected

The Election Commission filed a case against Faridpur-4 lawmaker Mujibur Rahman Chowdhury, known as Nixon Chowdhury, for violating the election code of conduct during the Charbhadrasan upazila parishad by-elections.

Nawabul Islam, the returning officer of the Charbhadrasan by-election, filed the case against Nixon with Charbhadrasan Police Station yesterday morning, within 24 hours of the chief election commissioner (CEC) talking about filing of a case against Nixon.

On October 10, a by-election was held for the post of chairman of Charbhadrasan upazila parishad in Faridpur.

According to the case statement, Nixon, 42, called Atul Sarkar, deputy commissioner of Faridpur, over mobile phone around 8:00am the previous day and expressed his displeasure over the appointment of more magistrates.

On the day of the election, AC (Land) of Bhanga arrested an activist of Nixon's for violating the election code of conduct.

Nixon then used abusive language directed in a phone conversation with Jasmin Sultana, Charbhadrasan Upazila Nirbahi Officer.

Nixon also violated the election code of conduct by participating in a victory rally after the announcement of Charbhadrasan upazila election results, the case statement read.

Nazneen Khanum, officer-in-charge of Charbhadrasan Police Station, who accepted the case, said they would investigate the matter.

The district Awami League unit expressed regret to the deputy commissioner (DC) of Faridpur for Nixon's unedifying behavior on Wednesday. Members of Bhanga upazila AL unit also formed a human chain demanding his punishment.

However, at a press conference, Nixon denied the allegation of using abusive language and sought legal action against the Faridpur DC, claiming that he acted in favour of BNP candidate KM Obaidul Bari in the by-election.

UNO SUES SUSPENDED MAYOR IN BERA

In an unrelated development in Pabna, Bera Upazila Nirbahi Officer Asif Anam Siddiquee filed a case against the suspended mayor of Bera municipality for assaulting him during the upazila law and order committee meeting.

The UNO filed a case with Bera Police Station on Wednesday night, police said.

Talking to The Daily Star, the Bera UNO said suspended mayor Abdul Baten proposed to include the unlawful allotment of Kazirhaat and Nagarbari ghat to Bera upazila parishad so that they could be leased out.

When the UNO refused to sign the proposal, the mayor allegedly misbehaved with him during the meeting on Monday. He was suspended the following day.

Later, the UNO filed a case with Bera police station on Wednesday night accusing Abdul Baten of assaulting him and obstructing the regular work of the government.

Officer-in-charge of Bera Police Station said the case was recorded and they were investigating the incident. Police are trying to nab the accused, the OC added.

Abdul Baten, also the younger brother of lawmaker of Pabna-1 Samsul Haque Tuku, in a press conference earlier refuted the allegation of assaulting the UNO.