Dhaka-17 by-polls: Arafat’s absence at meeting irks CEC
Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal expressed his irritation as Awami League candidate for Dhaka-17 by-polls did not attend a views-exchange meeting yesterday.
Dhaka north city AL office secretary William Pralay Samaddar -- who represented party candidate Mohammad A Arafat, said at the meeting that he did not join it as he "was unwell".
The Election Commission held the meeting with candidates regarding electoral code of conduct.
Except for Arafat, all attended the programme held at EC office.
Journalists were allowed at the event.
The meeting started on time at 11:00am. About half an hour later, Samaddar entered the room. At that time, the CEC wanted to know Samaddar's identity.
The CEC was then informed that he had come as a representative of Arafat.
The CEC expressed some irritation. He turned off the microphone, and said, "Why did the candidate not come, why did the representative come... and that too after 30 minutes."
At one point, the CEC also said the AL candidate was not present at the views-exchange programme during the Cumilla City Corporation election.
Later, the meeting went on.
After the programme, Samaddar told reporters that Arafat received the letter of invitation to the EC's meeting on Monday.
"He is feeling unwell after campaigning in two or three areas. He had a fever. Therefore, he did not come to the meeting considering the risk to his own health and that of others. He will get tested for Covid-19," he added.
Meanwhile, at the meeting, the CEC warned that they would monitor the polls through CCTV camera and would "stop the election" if there is any electoral irregularity.
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