The Election Commission has ordered the administration officials and police to probe the allegations that a candidate of Brahmanbaria-2 by-polls has been "missing".

Abu Asif Ahmed, who is running as an independent from the Sarail-Ashuganj constituency, has been missing for the last four days.

"We have asked the deputy commissioner, the superintendent of police and the election officer of Brahmanbaria to probe the matter," Election Commissioner Rashida Sultana told reporters yesterday.

"We learnt from the media that he has been detained. We want to know what has happened," she added.

Asif's wife Meherunnesa told The Daily Star that her husband went missing hours after he left their Ashuganj home to join his campaign trail on the afternoon of Friday.

Voters consider Asif, a former upazila chairman, to be the main rival of another independent runner Abdus Sattar Bhuiyan, an expelled BNP leader, who locals say has the ruling Awami League's blessings.

The by-polls will be held tomorrow.

Asif's wife yesterday said, "I am scared. My husband has not returned home for the last four days. Our people are also afraid."

Deputy Commissioner Shahgir Alam yesterday said Abu Asif "was in hiding" and he was "not detained by law enforcers".

"The matter is being investigated," he told reporters.

Meanwhile, Shamiul Haque Liton, an independent runner from Chapainawabganj-3 alleged that 12 of his campaign offices were vandalised and three others were set on fire on Sunday night.

He said in a complaint to the returning officer yesterday that supporters of Awami League candidate Abdul Wadud did this.

Contacted, Wadud said Shamiul was saying these to earn people's sympathy.

Returning Officer AKM Galiv Khan said this was an isolated incident. "Necessary action will be taken after investigation," he added.