Six councillor candidates fined

Six councillor candidates contesting in the Barishal City Corporation polls were fined Tk 68,500 by the Election Commission yesterday for violating the election code of conduct.

Zakir Hossain Bhulu, the councillor candidate of ward 12, was fined Tk 5,000, Sheikh Anwar Hossain, the candidate of ward 5, was fined Tk 20,000, Shahid Khan Azad, the candidate of Ward  22, was fined Tk 20,000.  Besides, three other candidates were fined Tk 23,500 in total. They were penalised for bringing out motorcade rallies, although it's strictly prohibited in the election laws, confirmed sources.

Besides, 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 May 26 in this case.

According to Executive Magistrate Abi Abdullah, the candidates have previously received warnings for breaking the code of conduct.

Ten mayoral candidates, 146 councillor candidates and  42 candidates for the reserved female councillor positions, have submitted nomination papers to run in the June 12 election.