Bangladesh News

Central and local level leaders of political parties have violated the electoral code of conduct by campaigning for candidates in the August 4 polls, says an Election Commission (EC) circular.

However, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) ATM Shamsul Huda yesterday expressed satisfaction with the overall compliance with the code of conduct.

The same day the EC at a meeting decided to institute an inquiry into allegations of mayoral candidates providing false information in their affidavits. Legal actions will be taken if the allegations prove to be true, meeting sources said.

Earlier on Sunday, the commission issued the circular instructing the returning officers (RO) to caution the candidates in the event of any central and local level leader participating in electioneering for them.

It also asked them to inform the EC Secretariat immediately on noticing a breach of the electoral rules.

The circular, a copy of which The Daily Star obtained, however does not mention names of the political parties or leaders that the commission has identified as campaigning in the local body polls.

It says participation of central and local level senior leaders in campaigns is a violation of local government (city corporation) electoral rules 2008 and the code of conduct for municipality polls 2008.

According to the new electoral rules and code of conduct, polls to city corporations and municipalities are non-partisan. Use of political affiliations in the electioneering would constitute a criminal offence punishable by imprisonment and fine and even cancellation of candidature.

After announcement of the election schedule on June 20, Awami League (AL) led 14-party alliance formally nominated its candidates for the polls to four city corporations and nine municipalities.

Though the BNP-led four-party alliance has opted to boycott the polls, its grassroots have joined the electoral race, disregarding the decision.

The EC did not take any action against the political parties for involvement in the local government polls even though activities like their selection of candidates were in contravention of the electoral rules.

Instead, it maintained that it was overlooking the matter in efforts to create a congenial atmosphere for the elections.

However, on instructions from the EC, the ROs have lately been meeting the contestants, asking them not to have any central or senior local leaders canvassing for them.

Asked about the allegations against some contenders flouting the electoral rules, CEC Huda said the candidates were carrying out election campaigns mostly in compliance with the code of conduct.

“The situation is satisfactory as we are not seeing any wall writings, street showdowns and use of microphones in the election areas,” he said.

ENQUIRY
The EC yesterday instructed its secretariat officials to launch a probe into the allegations against some mayoral candidates of furnishing false information.

“There are allegations that some candidates have given wrong and incomplete information in their affidavits. Steps will be taken against them on completion of enquiry,” the polls chief told reporters after a meeting at the commission.

At the meeting, the EC in particular discussed the allegation against Syed Habibur Rahman Hiron, a contender for mayoral post in Sylhet City Corporation (SCC).

Hiron is alleged to have provided incomplete information and also divulged his political identity in his affidavit of personal information, said sources.

The EC will also look into why the RO for SCC election accepted Hiron’s application for candidacy, said the meeting sources.

The commission will also launch enquiry on the basis of allegations that came up in the media about candidates furnishing incomplete information.

EC ACCUSES ATN
In a somewhat surprise move, the EC yesterday accused ATN Bangla, a private satellite TV channel, of violating the electoral code of conduct.

It said the TV channel has breached the rules by introducing candidates in a city corporation election in terms of their political identity in a live programme titled ‘Dialogue of the candidates in city polls”.

“Introducing a candidate by his/her political identity is a clear violation of the code of conduct for city corporation polls 2008,” says a press release issued by the EC Secretariat.

“This programme by ATN Bangla is creating obstacles in the way of conducting a free and fair election,” read the release.

“In this context, it is requested that the electoral code of conduct be complied with in broadcasting any programme on election in future,” said the release signed by Public Relations Officer SM Asaduzzaman.

A copy of the press release has been sent to the ATN Bangla chairman while the information secretary and principal information officer of the Press Information Department too have been informed of it.