Commission might suspend voting at places where local MPs violate electoral code
The areas belonging to the constituencies of ministers and state ministers are the ones experienced the most incidents of violence during the first two phases of upazila parishad polls, the Election Commission has observed.
Analysing the first two phases of the election, the commission observed that these areas saw different violent incidents that included snatching of ballot papers, casting fake votes and capturing polling centres.
The commission has asked the returning officers and the district election officers to send their reports immediately, in a bid to stop a repeat of such violence in the next phases of the upazila parishad poll, EC sources said.
They added that the commission feared that violence would increase if necessary steps were not taken.
Farhad Hossain, senior assistant secretary of the EC, yesterday told the Dhaka Tribune that ministers and state ministers were trying to influence the local body polls to ensure wins for the candidates of their choice. The cabinet members were violating the electoral code of conduct by staying in the polling areas and engaging in election campaign, the official said, adding that the returning officers were not taking actions against the influential ministers and state ministers.
During the first two phases, most of the violent incidents took place at upazilas in Sirajganj, Noakhali, Chandpur, Madaripur, Barisal, Jessore, Satkhira, Kushtia and Bhola, the EC officials said.
The commission suspended election in the entire Noakhali sadar upazila and different polling centres in the above-mentioned districts because of violence.
Election Commissioner Md Shah Newaz said the EC has asked the authorities concerned to take actions if any MP was engaged in election campaigning, in violation of the electoral code of conduct.
The commission is thinking of suspending voting at places where the local MPs violate the electoral code, he said, adding that MPs could only go to the polling area for casting votes.
The commissioner urged the political parties not to hold any political campaigning in the election areas.
In Jhalokati’s Kathalia upazila, at least 12 people were injured yesterday in a clash between supporters of an Awami League-backed candidate and a rebel candidate of the ruling party.
On Sunday, the EC received information that an election rally was being held in the guise of a party meeting at Barisal’s Hizla upazila. The commission immediately asked the district election officer to stop the rally, and is now investigating the matter.
On Saturday, supporters of an Awami League-backed candidate and a rebel candidate of the ruling party engaged in violent clashes in Gazipur’s Sreepur. The commission asked the returning officer and home ministry to take immediate legal actions against the perpetrators.
Meanwhile, 1,153 candidates backed by the Awami League, the BNP, the Jamaat-e-Islami and the Jatiya Party are contesting in 83 upazilas in the third phase of election. The High Court has stayed polls at the Fenchuganj upazila.
Source: Dhaka Tribune
