Zilla Parishad polls: Natore MP Shimul enters voting centre violating rule

Shafiqul Islam Shimul, lawmaker from Natore-2 (Sadar, Naldanga) constituency, reportedly entered a polling station violating electoral code of conduct during the ongoing zilla parishad elections.

He was seen entering the Dighapatia MK College voting center around 11:15am today (October 17, 2022). He stayed there for a while, our Natore correspondent reports from the spot.

According to the electoral rules, prime minister, speaker of Jatiya Sangsad, deputy speaker, government ministers, chief whip, leader of the opposition in the Jatiya Sangsad, deputy leader of the parliament, deputy leader of the opposition, state ministers, deputy ministers, members of parliament or any person of their equivalent status cannot participate in any kind of campaign during the upazila, zilla parishad, municipality and city corporation elections.

When asked about the matter, MP Shimul told The Daily Star, " I visited the centre as a public representative. I didn't influence anything."

Natore Deputy Commissioner and Returning Officer Shamim Ahmed said, "An MP cannot do this in any way. We will take action after looking into it."

Earlier in the morning, MP Shimul's personal secretary Akramul Islam was also seen entering the Dighapatia polling center with a press card shortly after the voting started.

When asked about this, Akramul Islam introduced himself as the editor of a local daily "Sangbad Protikar".

DC Shamim Ahmed said, "Only actual journalists have been given the press cards."