Staff Reporter :
The Election Commission (EC) on Sunday asked two Awami League MPs to leave their respective electoral areas as they are violating the electoral code of conduct by influencing voters centering the December 30 municipal polls.
They are Dhirendranath Shamvu of Barguna-1 and Hasnur Rahman Ripon of Barguna-2.
Confirming the news, Shamsul Alam, Deputy Secretary of EC Secretariat said that letters were sent to the MPs to leave the electoral area as they were influencing the polls in their respective areas.
The EC also decided to withdraw two Officers-in-Charge (OCs) for their allegation of irregularities and biased role. They are Asaduzzaman of Jagannathpur in Sunamganj and Nurul Huda of Hatia in Noakhali.
Earlier, the OCs of Kulaura in Moulvibazar, Kalkini in Madaripur, Satkania in Chittagong and Motlab North in Comilla were also withdrawn.
Obstruction and attack on the opposition candidates and their supporters are continuing allegedly by the ruling party men during the campaign for the coming municipal polls. It was alleged that several ministers and MPs are also violating the electoral code of conduct.
The ruling party men are also conducting election campaign, violating the electoral code of conduct, while pre-poll violence also took place in several parts of the country.
A magistrate came under attack in Nageswari Municipality in Kurigram on Sunday afternoon when he asked the ruling party men not to continue procession, as it is violation of the electoral code of conduct. Executive Magistrate Abu Raihan Dulon received injuries, OC of Nageshwari Police Station Abu Akkas confirmed the news.
AL’s candidate Mohammad Hossain Faku’s supporters attacked the magistrate at Nageshwari College More area. His car was also vandalised at the time. The magistrate was taken to Upazila Health Complex.
BNP accused the AL’s candidates and local leaders and activists of the ruling party of attacking and obstructing their campaigns. The party said its candidates and their supporters have been obstructed at Keshobpur in Jessore, Sathia in Pabna, Monohordi in Narsingdi, Sarisabari in Jamalpur, Sirajganj, Bhola, Mymensigh, Natore and some other municipalities.
In Jessore, a clash took place between the Awami League and BNP mayor candidates in Keshibpur Municipality on Sunday. The electoral offices of both the candidates were attacked and vandalised. BNP candidate Abdus Salam Biswas alleged that AL candidate Rafiqul Islam is trying to win the polls through creating violence, while Rafiqul said that the BNP candidate is trying to create violence.
