UNB, Dhaka :
BNP’s Satkhira-1 candidate Habibul Islam Habib has sought the removal of Kalaroa Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mafur Ahmmed, who openly campaigned for the ruling Awami League.
Habib filed a written complaint to the Election Commission on Friday.
A video of OC Maruf delivering a pro-AL speech made rounds on the social media on Thursday.
“On behalf of the administration, I want to tell you that you will [have to] vote for the pro-liberation force. Vote for ‘boat’ (AL’s electoral symbol). Your vote is very important for strengthening the hands of Sheikh Hasina,” he is heard saying.
“The Awami League-led government is needed for the continuous development [of the country]. Let’s vote this government to power again,” he added.
His speech raised questions on whether an officer, who will be on active election duty, can campaign for political parties. The OC claimed his speech had been “edited.”
BNP’s Habib also accused OC Maruf of obstructing their campaigns and vandalising houses of his party’s activists. He informed the EC that he had left the area over security concerns.
Satkhira’s Deputy Commissioner and Returning Officer SM Mostofa Kamal said it was illegal for a responsible government employee to seek vote for any candidate. “We will inform the EC and take steps as per its directives,” he said.
Mostofa said Satkhira police chief had already been informed and asked to take action.
BNP candidate Habib also accused the constituency’s AL-led alliance candidate Mustafa Lutfullah of breaching the polls code by using Sheikh Hasina’s image on posters instead of his party chief’s.
BNP’s Satkhira-1 candidate Habibul Islam Habib has sought the removal of Kalaroa Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mafur Ahmmed, who openly campaigned for the ruling Awami League.
Habib filed a written complaint to the Election Commission on Friday.
A video of OC Maruf delivering a pro-AL speech made rounds on the social media on Thursday.
“On behalf of the administration, I want to tell you that you will [have to] vote for the pro-liberation force. Vote for ‘boat’ (AL’s electoral symbol). Your vote is very important for strengthening the hands of Sheikh Hasina,” he is heard saying.
“The Awami League-led government is needed for the continuous development [of the country]. Let’s vote this government to power again,” he added.
His speech raised questions on whether an officer, who will be on active election duty, can campaign for political parties. The OC claimed his speech had been “edited.”
BNP’s Habib also accused OC Maruf of obstructing their campaigns and vandalising houses of his party’s activists. He informed the EC that he had left the area over security concerns.
Satkhira’s Deputy Commissioner and Returning Officer SM Mostofa Kamal said it was illegal for a responsible government employee to seek vote for any candidate. “We will inform the EC and take steps as per its directives,” he said.
Mostofa said Satkhira police chief had already been informed and asked to take action.
BNP candidate Habib also accused the constituency’s AL-led alliance candidate Mustafa Lutfullah of breaching the polls code by using Sheikh Hasina’s image on posters instead of his party chief’s.
