Khokon, Saifuddin 'violate' electoral code

The returning officer (RO) of Dhaka South City Corporation yesterday served show cause notices to Awami League-backed mayoral candidate Sayeed Khokon and Jatiya Party-blessed hopeful Haji Saifuddin Ahmed on the charge of violating the electoral code of conduct.

The duo have been asked to send explanations by 3:00pm today about why legal action will not be taken against them for the violation.

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"In different media reports, we have seen that Sayeed Khokon sought blessings from people after Jumma prayers as a candidate," RO Mihir Sarwar Morshed told The Daily Star. "Besides, our magistrates have found that electoral posters of Saifuddin are still on display," he added.

Both acts are violation of the electoral code, he said, because candidates are not legally allowed to start campaign until 21 days from the polling day, or before April 7.

Meanwhile, AL-backed mayoral aspirant for Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Annisul Huq in a press release yesterday said neither he nor any of his supporters was yet to launch his electoral campaign. "I will not be responsible if anybody driven by animosity conducts the electoral campaign including pasting posters," he claimed. On Friday, an executive magistrate fined a person for pasting posters in favour of Annisul Huq. Elections to the Dhaka and Chittagong city corporations will be held on April 28.