Deputy Speaker Fazle Rabbi has been ordered to leave an Upazila electoral zone in Gaibandha for violating the polls code by campaigning for a chairman aspirant.
The Election Commission has instructed the ruling MP from Gaibandha-5 to leave his constituency by 6pm on Saturday (Mar 16).
Awami League MP from Cox’s Bazar-3 Shaimum Sarwar Kamal has been also instructed by the Commission to leave his constituency by Sunday (Mar 17) afternoon on similar allegations.
Election to Fulchari and Saghata Upazilas under Gaibandha-5 will be held on Mar 28 while Cox’s Bazar Sadar and Ramu Upazilas under Cox’s Bazar-3 on Mar 24.
In a letter to Fazle Rabbi, the EC said, “Allegations have been found that you are involved in electioneering that includes publicly campaigning for a candidate in Fulchari and Saghata Upazilas elections under you parliamentary seat Gaibandha-5 violating the electoral code of conducts.”
The EC’s letter to Shaimum Sarwar said, “As you have taken part in election campaign violating the electoral code of conduct, so you have been instructed to leave the polls areas under you constituency by 6m on Mar 16 (Sunday).”
The EC also warned Shaimum Sarwar of bearing the financial expenses in case the polls is postponed.
“If your direct or indirect involvement (in the campaign) leads to postponing the polls and the government, herein the Election Commission will assess the financial expenses for conducting the upazilla elections, for which you will bear the responsibility,” reads the letter.
Election to Fulchari and Saghata Upazilas under Gaibandha-5 will be held on Mar 28 in the fourth phase of the ongoing firth uapazila election while Sadar and Ramu Upazilas under Cox’s Bazar-3 on Mar 24 in the third phase.
Earlier the EC ordered as many as nine lawmakers to leave their constituencies during the first phase of the upazila polls.
It also suspended voting at three upazilas after they deemed existing conditions there would not allow free and fair voting.