Dhaka Mayoral Polls Election Commission to serve show-cause notice on Atiq

The Election Commission on Sunday decided to serve a show cause notice on ruling Awami League mayoral aspirant for Dhaka north city Md Atiqul Islam for his alleged involvement in violation of the electoral code of conduct.

The commission took the decision responding to an application of opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party mayoral aspirant for the city Tabith Awal, Election Commissioner Rafiqul Islam told reporters at his office.

He said that the commission asked returning officer Abul Kashem to seek explanation from Atiq on it, he said.

On Saturday, Tabith submitted the complaint to the city’s returning officer saying that Atiq took part in a programme organised by his party leaders and activists at Gulashan Park on Saturday morning breaching the City Corporation (Electoral Code) Rules, 2016.

According to the complaint, Atiq sought votes for him using public announcement system though the law prohibits all kind of electioneering before the allocation of election symbols among the candidates.

As per the election schedule, the returning officer’s office is scheduled to allocate the symbols on January 9.

Election Commissioner Rafiqul also said that the law also prohibits lawmakers from participating in electioneering in local government elections.

AL lawmaker Sahara Khatun on Sunday participated in a prayer session at Uttara where an election campaigning office of Atiq was opened.

Meanwhile, the BNP on Sunday asked the Election Commission to cancel its decision to use Electronic Voting Machines in the upcoming Dhaka north and south city corporation elections.

‘We think the decision of using EVMs in the elections is a part of the conspiracy to snatch people’s voting rights permanently,’ said BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir at a press conference at the party chairperson’s office at Gulshan in Dhaka.

The party also decided to send a delegation to the Election Commission on today to inform it of apprehension over use of EVMs and discuss other election related issues.

Besides, AL general secretary Obaidul Quader said that the BNP has sensed their defeat in the Dhaka city polls.

‘They failed to wage a movement, how will they win the city polls. They know that they will be defeated in the city elections,’ said Obaidul, also the road transport and bridges minister, while talking to reporters at a get-together programme in the city’s Ramna Park.

News Courtesy: www.newagebd.net