BCC Polls: ‘They barred us but allowed AL to use loudspeakers’

Islami Andolon Bangladesh could not use loudspeakers during its mass reception programme that was accorded to the party's mayoral candidate ‍Syed Muhammad Faizul Karim in Barishal yesterday.

They were compelled to conclude the event as election officials informed them that the use of loudspeakers is a violation of the electoral code.

Flanked by several thousands of party members, ‍Syed Muhammad Faizul Karim entered Barishal around 5:00pm yesterday.

He was scheduled to join a mass reception programme that was supposed to be held at the Zila School intersection.

However, the party members later changed the programme venue and held it in Amtola Mor area without using any loudspeakers, said several leaders and activists of the party.

They also alleged that the election officials did not take any action when the ruling AL's candidate held their mass reception with loudspeakers.

Addressing the programme, Faizul Karim said he would work for the development of Barishal by joining hands with all.

He also urged the Election Commission to work for holding a free and fair election.

This is the first time he came to Barishal from Dhaka after getting the party's nomination as the mayoral candidate.

Contacted, the city poll's returning officer Md Humayun Kabir declined to comment on the matter.

The Barishal City Corporation Election is scheduled to be held on June 12.