MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS : EC to take action against officials for code violations

Election Commission has decided to take disciplinary action against officials who failed to control violence and violated rules during polling day of the municipal elections held on December 30.
‘The commission will take action against the people involved as they tarnished our [EC] image by helping some quarters to commit electoral offences,’ an election commission official told New Age on Sunday.
He said the commission already decided to ask the police department to withdraw officer-in-charge of Chunarughat police station in Habiganj as the commission investigation found his involvement with unlawful activities on polling day.
He said the commission was investigating allegations against some returning officers and policemen who allegedly worked in favour of particular candidates, mostly ruling Awami League nominated candidates for the mayoral post.
He said the commission on December 30 cancelled the polls at some 51 polling centers including the Madhabdi municipality of Narsingdi, for violence and rigging.
‘Some officials of the centers were allegedly involved with violation of electoral code of conduct… if the commission does not take any action against the people it will have a negative effect for elections in future,’ he said.
Election commissioner Md Shah Newaz said the commission was investigating some allegations but refused to disclose the reason behind the investigation.
Massive violation of electoral code, widespread ballot stuffing, snatching of ballot papers and intimidation of rivals by ruling Awami League activists were reported on the polling day in the country’s first-ever partisan elections to 234 municipalities.
Since announcement of the polls schedule on November 24, the EC withdrew at least seven police officers and two returning officers for their alleged involvement with violation of polls code.

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