Several BNP MPs have moved Election Commission alleging the ruling party-backed mayoral candidate in Rajshahi has violated the electoral code of conducts by providing gas connections in the metropolis.
Joint Secretary General Mahbubuddin Khokon led seven opposition lawmakers to the Commission. This was the first visit by any BNP leader after the reconstitution of the EC.
He, however, said the visit was not on behalf of his party. They lodged their complaints as elected public representatives, Khokan said.
Ahead of city corporation polls, Petrobangla Chairman Hossain Mansur provided gas connections to the city dwellers on Friday.
Providing gas connections to households was one of the electoral pledges of outgoing Mayor AHM Khairuzzaman Liton.
The opposition lawmakers alleged the move directly violated the electoral code of conducts.
Liton’s supporters reportedly took out a procession afterwards thanking the government for the gas connections.
Khokan said even though ruling party-backed Liton was absent at the inaugural ceremony, his election campaign coordinator Fazle Hossain Badshah, MP attended the function and sought votes on his behalf.
The opposition lawmakers filed complaints on behalf of the 18-Party-backed Rajshahi mayoral candidate Mosaddeque Hossain Bulbul.
Khokan said they had approached the EC as citizens. “My party had not nominated anyone for the elections, we have merely extended our support,” he said.
An Election Commissioner, who preferred anonymity, said there was no scope to file a complaint as a political party in this non-partisan election.
The BNP had been criticising the EC after Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad became the CEC.
Chief Election Commissioner Ahmad said the area’s Returning Officer has already served show-cause notices to the Petrobangla chief and its Rajshahi manager.
“Measures will be taken after getting their replies,” he said.
Although the BNP lawmakers demanded army deployment during the polls, CEC Ahmad said such situations had not arisen.
The army was always ready, he said when asked if troops would be called in if the situation deteriorated
Source: Bd news24
