Rangpur DivisionMunicipal Election
Mayoral candidates allege violation of poll code
Mayoral candidates in different municipalities in Rangpur division have brought allegation of violation of electoral code of conduct.
In Sunderganj municipality, grand alliance candidate Abdul Mozid Mondol made a showdown with about 300 supporters on Thursday.
Nurunnabi Saju, immediate past mayor of the municipality formally lodged this complaint with the office of returning officer.
Eyewitnesses said, when the procession in favour of Mozid reached Hablu point, police intercepted the supporters and dispersed them.
Contacted, Abdul Mozid, however, denied the allegation of any showdown in favour of him in the town.
Returning officer of Sunderganj municipality election Shamsul Azam told this correspondent that he would take action against the candidate in this connection after investigation.
In Lalmonirhat municipality, a woman councillor candidate was fined Tk1,000 for violating electoral code of conduct on Saturday night.
According to the district election officer, a woman candidate with about 50 supporters was campaigning on Saturday night. Therefore, the returning officer fined her Tk1,000.
The election officer, however, refused to disclose the name of the councillor candidate.
Meanwhile, grand alliance mayor candidate in Lalmonirhat municipality Reazul Islam Rintu formally lodged a complaint with returning officer saying that former mayor Mosharraf Hossain Rana is giving cash and kinds among the voters at night to bag votes in favour of him.
Rintu also alleged that former deputy minister Asadul Habib Dulu is giving cash to voters in favour of BNP candidate Hafizar Rahman Babla.
Contacted, Rintu said he lodged the complaint against Rana and Babla but RO did not take any action against them till the date.
The returning officer of Lalmonirhat municipality election admitted that he received the complaint and said he engaged law enforcing agencies to investigate if Rana is really using cash and kinds to influence voters.
In Kurigram, president of Awami League (AL) in Kurigram municipality unit Abdul Jalil, also mayor candidate, alleged that mayor candidates- Kaziul Islam and Abu Bakar Siddique are bribing the voters.
Returning Officer of Kurigram municipality said he was not aware of any such allegation. He said, "We have requested Abdul Jalil to show a voter whom Kaziul and Abu Bakar Siddique were trying to influence by giving cash."
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