Polls code violations rampant in Sylhet

The Sylhet City Corporation election is scheduled for June 21, and despite warnings from the Election Commission, mayoral candidates have been continuously violating electoral rules by running campaigns in the city ahead of schedule.

The City Corporation (Election Code of Conduct) Rules 2016 state that candidates or their supporters can organise street rallies and indoor meetings only after informing the local law enforcement authorities 24 hours in advance.

Additionally, no candidate can start campaigning using any electoral symbol before the official allotment, which is scheduled for June 2 in this case.

But the supporters of the ruling Awami League nominated candidate Anwaruzzaman Chowdhury, have been organising multiple meetings and campaigns daily, using the party's electoral symbol, boat', which is a clear violation of the electoral rules.

Candidates from other parties, such as Nazrul Islam Babul of Jatiya Party (JP) and Mahmudul Hasan of Islami Andolon Bangladesh (IAB), have also been found violating the rules in a similar manner.

They have been distributing leaflets in different parts of the city, featuring their respective electoral symbols -- "plough" and "hand fan".

Besides, the present mayor, Ariful Haque Choudhury, who has not yet declared his candidacy, has been appearing in meetings throughout the city, indirectly discussing the upcoming election. This is seen as an attempt to seek votes, which is also against the electoral code of conduct.

Returning Officer Faysal Kader issued letters to all mayoral aspirants warning them about the consequences of violating the polls code. The letter emphasised that the EC would take legal action against those who continue to violate the rules by running campaigns.

In response to the warning, Anwaruzzaman stated that his campaign cell had not yet started their electoral campaign, and they had not printed any leaflets. He claimed that some supporters were running campaigns using the boat symbol and he would address the issue internally.

Babul claimed to be unaware of the electoral rules regarding the campaign and stated that he had not yet received the cautionary letter from the EC.

On the other hand, Mahmudul said to the best of his understanding, they were not violating electoral rules, as the leaflets he distributed were only intended as introductory materials to familiarise people with his candidacy.

Asked, Syed Kamal Hossain, staff officer (media relations) of the EC in Sylhet, confirmed that the RO had issued a warning letter to all mayoral candidates. He said the assistant returning officers were monitoring the situation on the field and would soon take legal action against any violation.