EC goes tough on polls code breach

The Election Commission (EC) is on hard line to enforce the electoral code of conduct in all the 300 parliamentary constituencies across the country in the upcoming national polls slated for January 7.  

The EC has decided to take stern action against the candidates and their supporters who are violating the electoral code of conduct during their election campaign. Even the EC has decided to cancel candidacy as a punishment. The EC has already taken action against many candidates based on the inquiry reports submitted by the election inquiry committees formed by the commission in 300 constituencies to deal with pre-election irregularities. 

There is an election inquiry committee in each constituency consisting of judicial magistrates. The committees are issuing show-cause notice and sending recommendations to the EC for taking action.

Some candidates are already facing action by the EC for violating the electoral code of conduct. 

The EC has fined ruling Awami League candidate for Cumilla-6 constituency and incumbent MP AKM Bahauddin Bahar Tk1 lakh for violating the electoral code of conduct. AL candidate for Barguna-1 constituency Dhirendra Debnath Shambhu was also fined Tk 50,000.

The commission led by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal pronounced the verdict after a hearing on the allegations on Wednesday (December 27, 2023). 

Additional Secretary of the EC Secretariat Ashok Kumar Debnath briefed the reporters after the hearing. “The fine must be deposited within three days via a treasury challan and reported to the returning officer. Subsequently, the returning officer will notify the Election Commission,” he said.

Earlier, AKM Bahauddin Bahar and Dhirendra Debnath Shambhu appeared before the EC and provided explanations for their acts of violating the electoral code of conduct. 

The AL candidates received three separate show-cause notices each for breaching the electoral codes.

On December 19, an election inquiry committee issued two show-cause notices to AKM Bahauddin Bahar after the AL candidate held a public gathering and threatened to break the arms and legs of BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami members if they are found supporting any candidates.

Later on December 23, the Cumilla-3 MP received the third show-cause notice for assaulting an Ekattor TV journalist during an election campaign.

Meanwhile, Dhirendra Debnath Shambhu was accused of initiating his election campaign through public rallies and meetings before the official start date. Despite repeated warnings, the Barguna-1 candidate’s pre-election irregularities led to recommendations for legal action against him.

The two candidates were summoned by the EC on Monday to explain why they should not be barred from contesting the election due to violation of the code of conduct.

On the other hand, the EC on Sunday decided to sue two Awami League candidates-- Mostafizur Rahman of Chattogram-16 constituency and Abdul Hyee of Jhenaidah-1 constituency-- for violating the electoral code of conduct.

As per the EC’s decision, Banshkhali Election Officer Harun Mollah on Tuesday filed a case against Mustafizur Rahman of Chattogram-16 constituency under section 8 (b) of the Electoral Code of Conduct. The court issued summon against the accused and ordered him to appear before it by January 3.

According to the case statement, two journalists were physically harassed by Mustafizur Rahman and his followers when he was asked about violation of electoral code of conduct during submission of nomination papers at DC office in Chattogram on November 30. The accused also vandalised cameras and other equipment during the attack.

It also said, Mustafizur Rahman accompanied by a huge convoy came to the DC office to submit the nomination papers in the morning violating the electoral code of conduct.

As per the electoral code of conduct, a candidate can’t take more than five supporters to collect and submit nomination papers.

However, the EC ordered the authorities concerned to file a case against Abdul Hyee for staging a showdown wielding local weapons.

As per the report of an election inquiry committee, supporters of the candidate staged a showdown on the highway near Bhatoi Bazar of Dudhsor union while carrying domestic weapons and batons, causing fear among the public. The candidate has violated Rule 8 (a), 11 (a), and Rule 12 of the electoral code of conduct through the activities, said the commission.

The EC is taking action one after another as per the reports submitted by the election enquiry committees. So far, the EC has issued over 250 show-cause notices to candidates based on the Election Inquiry Committee’s reports. An official order has been issued to returning officers to take steps in this regard.

Election Commissioner Begum Rashida Sultana in a meeting in Gaibandha on Wednesday said that they would do everything possible for holding the forthcoming parliamentary election free, fair and credible.