The Election Commission yesterday allocated electoral symbols to
municipality mayor and ward councillor candidates, paving the way for
electioneering.
Candidates started carrying out door-to-door visits with leaflets and
other campaign materials to seek blessings from voters. Many contenders
used loudspeakers and hung posters in their localities.
Meanwhile, violating the electoral code of conduct, Awami League
lawmaker from Pabna-5 Golam Faruk Khandaker yesterday joined a programme
along with AL mayor aspirant Rakib Hasan Tipu. In Golapganj of Sylhet,
two government officials took part in the electioneering of AL mayor
candidate Zakaria Ahmed, reported two correspondents.
In another development, the EC yesterday asked the police authorities
to withdraw the OC of Uttar Matlab Police Station in Chandpur for
allegedly working in favour of an AL candidate, said EC sources.
The commission also formed an enquiry committee to probe the
complaint of the BNP mayor aspirant in Chatkhil of Noakhali that he was
forced by some ruling AL men to affix sign to a paper for withdrawing
his candidacy.
Mayor elections will be held in 228 municipalities on December 30 as
AL mayor hopefuls are going to be elected uncontested in Pirojpur Sadar,
Tungipara of Gopalganj, Feni Sadar, Parshuram of Feni, Chatkhil of
Noakhali and Madarganj of Jamalpur municipalities.
The voters of Parshuram Municipality in Feni will be totally deprived
of exercising their franchise as all the 10 councillors of the
municipality are also going to be elected uncontested.
Besides, 64 general and reserved women ward councillors are also
likely to be elected uncontested in different municipalities, including
44 in three municipalities of Feni.
According to EC statistics, a total of 923 mayor, around 8,500
general and 2,533 women councillor aspirants will take part in the
polls.
LAWMAKER 'FLOUTS' LAW
In Pabna, AL lawmaker Golam Faruk Khandaker joined the opening
ceremony of “Rana Shopping Complex and EveningTouch Hotel” on Press
Club Road in the town. AL mayoral nominee Rakib Hasan Tipu was also
present.
As per the electoral code of conduct, ministers and lawmakers cannot
go to any electoral area other than joining state functions, EC's Deputy
Secretary Shamsul Alam told The Daily Star.
Contacted, Faruk said he joined the event as it was not any electoral programme.
OFFICIALS IN CAMPAIGN
Several candidates complained that Dulal Ahmed, an employee of
Golapganj Municipality, and Borhan Ahmed of Kailashtilla Gas Field took
part in the electioneering of AL mayoral nominee Zakaria Ahmed, reported
a correspondent.
Returning Officer Saidur Rahman said he would take action against the officials if anybody lodged a complaint with his office.
'WITHDRAW OC'
The EC yesterday asked the police authorities to withdraw the officer-in-charge of Uttar Matlab Police Station in Chandpur.
An allegation was raised against the OC that he was working in favour
of Rafiqul Alam George, AL mayor candidate in Changerchar Municipality
under Uttar Matlab Upazila.
“We found evidence that the allegation against the cop was true.
That's why, we have made the decision,” an election commissioner told
this newspaper seeking anonymity.
Besides, the EC will look into some similar allegations raised
against the OCs of Kulaura Police Station of Moulvibazar and Habiganj
Sadar Police Station.
