BNP aspirants in Barisal divn include 2 convicts

BNP candidates in Barisal division include two convicts who are former lawmakers and front ranking leaders of the party.
The two are Hafiz Ibrahim from Bhola-3, and Nurul Islam Moni from Barguna-2, both in jail now after trial in cases.
They have submitted nomination papers as independent candidates through party men and relatives, ignoring party decision.
Nurul Islam Moni was given 14 years' rigorous imprisonment in absentia in a case for embezzling government relief materials. He later surrendered before court, which sent him to jail. He faces three other cases, now under investigation by ACC.
Hafiz Ibrahim is accused in 18 cases. He has been sentenced to 13 years' rigorous imprisonment for amassing wealth illegally and concealing wealth information in his statement submitted to ACC.
But the candidates are either denying the allegations against them, saying those are politically motivated; or reiterating that there would not be repetition of past mistakes.
Most of the cases against convicted lawmakers are under trial or being probed by different law enforcing agencies and Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).
Public Prosecutor A K Nur Uddin of Barisal ACC explained that according to Section 15 (Gha) of Emergency Power Rules and Article 66/2/(Gha) of the Constitution, people convicted under EPR and for moral turpitude are not allowed to contest election.
Sources however said the home ministry has sent to the Election Commission a list of 103 politicians and businessmen including former BNP lawmaker from Bhola-3 Hafiz Ibrahim who are convicted of criminal offences under Emergency Powers Rules.
Talking to this correspondent, some voters in their areas said the government's initiatives to bring honest and competent people in the polls race has failed as most candidates are old faces including convicted ones with many cases against them for corruption and other crimes. This will not bring any qualitative change in politics, without which there will not be any development, they said.
"The Election Commission did not take any action against those who violated electoral rules, encouraging corrupt, incompetent and dishonest aspirants to go ahead," Barisal district president of Shushashoner Janney Nagorik (Shujan) Prof Syed Aminul Haque said.
Arifur Rahaman, student of Barisal Sher-e-Bangla Medical College, who become a voter this year in Barisal city said he does not hope any significant change in politics as many old corrupt faces have been chosen by parties to run in the coming election. He however said the election may be fair and held in a peaceful atmosphere as criminals are on the run.
The EC should keep them out of the polls races.