report in Dhaka Tribune, Dec 27, 2023
The Election Commission (EC) has decided to cancel candidacy as a punishment for violating the electoral code of conduct.
An official order has been issued to returning officers to take steps in this regard. So far, the commission has issued 258 show-cause notices to candidates based on the Election Inquiry Committee’s report.
Among them, 92 candidates are nominated by the ruling party Awami League, and 53 candidates are current members of parliament.
Election Commission Additional Secretary Ashok Kumar Debnath told Dhaka Tribune: “We have received a total of 159 reports filed by the election inquiry official. A case has been filed against three candidates based on that.
“A decision will be taken after the hearing in the Commission today (Wednesday) at 3pm regarding the candidates in Comilla-6 constituency AKM Bahauddin Bahar and Dhirendro Debnath Shambhu of Barguna-1.”
The EC ordered an investigation against Bhar of the Comilla-6 constituency on the allegation of beating up a journalist. Earlier, the Election Inquiry Committee had given two show-cause letters to Bahar for violating the election code of conduct.
The Inquiry Committee recommended action as per the provision of one to five years’ imprisonment under the Representation of the People Act (RPO), a maximum sentence of six months, and a fine of Tk50,000 under the Election Code of Conduct.
According to the report of the inquiry committee, during the election campaign of Bahar on December 20, a reporter and cameraman of the private television Ekattor TV were attacked in the candidate’s presence and under his instructions. Their devices and mobiles were confiscated.
Meanwhile, according to the information of the Barguna-1 Constituency Election Inquiry Committee, the committee has sent four reports against Dhirendra Debnath for violating the code of conduct several times.
The report says that the Election Inquiry Committee has recommended a fine of Tk45,000 for four Awami League leaders, including Shambhu. The EC additional secretary warned that candidatures can also be cancelled depending on the violation.
He expects that the situation will become more normal after striking forces are deployed on December 29. However, experts have expressed concern over the frequency of filing cases and punishment.
They think that accused candidates will get time and will become MPs before such cases are concluded.
Former election commissioner Rafiqul Islam suggested that, as the EC has the executive power to cancel the candidature if the candidates violate the code of conduct, it has to take effective steps.
Strict implementation of the code of conduct will bring the situation under control, he added.
He also said: “Often, when the Election Commission cancels a candidature, the candidate regains their candidacy from the High Court. So, the commission has to get support from the court regarding the cancellation of candidature.”
https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/335033/ec-on-hard-line-to-combat-electoral-code
