Hasan bashes Mannan
Moudud says it's violation of code
Environment and Forest Minister Hasan Mahmud yesterday accused BNP-backed mayoral hopeful MA Mannan of “misappropriating” hundreds of crores of taka from Hajj pilgrims when the latter was state minister for religious affairs.
Although Mannan was a lecturer, he prefers to use the designation of professor. Departmental action was taken against him (Mannan) when he was a lecturer, Hasan told a discussion programme at the Jatiya Press Club.
Reacting to the allegations, senior BNP leader Moudud Ahmed said it was a violation of electoral rules and the Election Commission should take immediate action against the minister as per the rules.
No minister had made any such remarks about any candidates in the recent polls to four city corporations, he told The Daily Star, referring to Section 69 of the City Corporation (code of conduct) Rules, 2010.
Whatever Hasan has said about Mannan is false and baseless, insisted Moudud.
Forest Minister Hasan Mahmud, however, claimed that he had not violated the electoral rules. "I didn't say anything on the basis of assumption. What I have said [about Mannan] is established truth," he added.
Contacted, a senior official at the EC secretariat said the minister could not make such comments and it was an offence as per electoral rules.
Section 69 of the city corporation rules completely prohibits any derogatory comments against any candidate or his or her relatives that might influence the election. If anybody is found guilty of violating the rules, he or she might be sentenced to a maximum of two years' imprisonment with fine.
Meanwhile, senior BNP leaders in and outside parliament yesterday complained that the government was “directly intervening” in the Gazipur city polls slated for Saturday. The ruling Awami League leaders have rejected the allegation outright.
BNP standing committee member MK Anwar alleged that a special cell had been set up at the official residence of the prime minister to intervene in the election.
"Actually, this cell is working to intervene in and control the election. The prime minister is directly working to ensure victory for the Awami League-baked mayoral candidate," he said after holding a meeting with the chief election commissioner at the latter's office.
Around 400 presiding officers have been appointed in line with the directives of the prime minister, complained Anwar.
The Gazipur deputy commissioner, superintendent of police and officers in charge of police stations are following the prime minister's directives instead of the EC's, alleged the BNP leader. He demanded that the EC deploy the army at the July 6 polls.
Communications Minister Obaidul Quader has ruled out any such administrative interference by the government in the polls.
The election will be held in a fair and neutral manner, he said at a programme organised by Bangladesh Jatri Kalyan Samity at the Jatiya Press Club.
Quader, a presidium member of the AL, asked opposition politicians to make reasonable comments.
Speaking in parliament, Moudud Ahmed alleged that the government was “trying to rig” the Gazipur city polls.
"The administration is working for their [AL-backed] candidate…. So the army should be deployed,” he said, adding that the Election Commission was acting as a sycophant of the government and it [EC] was failing to work independently.”
So, the next parliamentary election must be held under a non-partisan government, added Moudud.
AL advisory council Member Tofail Ahmed told the House that there was no necessity of deploying the army at the Gazipur city polls as the election would be held in a “free and fair manner.”
The EC can seek the aid of the army, if it sees any such necessity, he noted. Tofail Ahmed that the recent elections to four city corporations had proved that free and fail polls were possible under the AL government.
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