report in Dhaka Tribune,Dec 31, 2023
As the country gears up for voting on January 7, violence centering on the election and breaches of the electoral code of conduct continue amid warnings and action by the Election Commission (EC).
In Dhaka, at least 12 people were injured in a factional clash among the followers of the Awami League’s Dhaka-10 candidate, Ferdous Ahmed, during an election campaign program in the Central Road area Saturday afternoon.
The injured were rushed to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH).
It came hours after two Awami League activists were stabbed by miscreants during an election campaign of Awami League candidate for Dhaka-2 constituency Advocate Qamrul Islam in the Kamrangirchar area on Friday.
The injured were taken to the DMCH.
A boat installed in a public spot by Awami League supporters as part of their electioneering was set on fire allegedly by supporters of an independent candidate for the Lalmonirhat-1 constituency in Hatibandha upazila in Lalmonirhat Saturday morning.
Awami League leaders accused supporters of independent candidate and former Sonali Bank MD Ataur Rahman Prodhan.
The incident took place at Hatkhola Bazar of Gaddimari village, under the Gaddimari union of the upazila.
Two separate cases were filed against supporters of both the Awami League and the independent candidates over the vandalism of an election camp and microphone in Sirajganj-5 (Belkuchi-Chowhali) constituency.
The cases were filed at Belkuchi police station on Thursday and Friday nights, said Anisur Rahman, officer-in-charge (OC) of Belkuchi Police Station.
At least 10 people were injured as the followers of the Awami League candidate and independent aspirant for the Pabna-1 seat clashed in Santhia upazila on Friday afternoon.
Six of the injured were admitted to Santhia and Bera upazila health complexes. On information, police rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control at Boalmari Bazar.
At least eight people were injured when the motorcade of Comilla-7 (Chandina) candidate Muntaqim Ashraf Titu was attacked allegedly by the followers of the Awami League aspirant at Chandina municipality on Friday night.
Since the countrywide election campaign got underway on December 18, at least three people have been killed in the polls violence.
Awami League (AL)-nominated candidate for Faridpur-4 constituency Kazi Zafar Ullah on Saturday submitted a complaint to the returning officer seeking cancellation of the candidacy of independent candidate Mujibur Rahman Chowhdury alias Nixon Chowdhury for distributing money in cash to activists in public.
According to the complaint, Nixon Chowdhury publicly distributed money among voters at an election campaign at an auto stand on the north side of Bhanga police station on December 28.
Nixon, however, denied the allegation when contacted by the media.
EC’s actions
The election inquiry committee on Saturday issued a show-cause notice to Awami League candidate of the Comilla-3 constituency, Yussuf Abdullah Harun, for breaching the electoral code of conduct.
He donated Tk10 lakh for the development of the Eidgah and graveyard in a meeting held at Rahimpur Eidgah ground in Muradnagar Upazila on December 29.
Besides, he sought to be re-elected by announcing a donation of Tk25 lakh step by step, which is a clear violation of the rules of electoral law.
The committee asked him or his representative to appear in person and submit a written response on January 2.
Meanwhile, Jatiya Party candidate for Gaibandha-2 (Sadar) constituency Abdur Rashid has been summoned by the national parliamentary election inquiry committee for violating the electoral code of conduct.
He has been directed to appear in person and submit a written explanation by 3pm on Sunday.
Rezaul Haq Chowdhury, an independent candidate for the Kushtia-1 seat, was served a show-cause notice by the EC Saturday for bribery.
A former MP, Reazul will have to explain the matter on Sunday.
https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/election/335389/no-let-up-in-polls-violence-code-breach
