Presiding officer closed for having AL meal

A presiding officer has been closed for having diner last night supplied by the supporters of ruling Awami League-backed chairman candidate in Sadar upazila of Habiganj.

Meanwhile, a mobile court led by Executive Magistrate Mehedi Hasan today fined Tk 15,000 to four AL activists for serving the meal, violating the electoral code of conduct.

Abdur Rouf, returning officer of the district, told The Daily Star that he removed presiding officer Shafiqul Islam after judging the authenticity of the allegation.

Islam was closed a couple of hours before the voting began today.

Islam had the diner served by some supporters of AL-blessed chairman candidate Mutassirul Islam.

The four AL henchmen are -- Abdul Hai, Sahabajur Rahman, Abdul Matin and Shamim Mia-- of Uttar Charhamua village in the upazila.

Voting in the polling centre however continued their without any interruption, reports our Moulvibazar correspondent.