Despite, the Election Commission prohibiting processions or any kind of gathering while candidates file their nominations to officials, several aspirants in Dhaka, including those of the ruling Awami League have seen violating it.
However, the returning officers or the executive magistrates were not found to take any actions on Tuesday (Nov 27), when candidates submitted nominations at the office of Dhaka divisional commissioner, who is the returning officer for Dhaka.
Flanked by more than 50 people, Saber Hossain Chowdhury, who is running on the Awami League’s ticket from Dhaka 9, entered the offices to submit his nomination.
It was similar for ruling party candidates, Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal for Dhaka 15 and Kamal Ahmed Majumder for Dhaka 16 as well as for Workers’ Party of Bangladesh’s Rashed Khan Menon, who is running from Dhaka 8 as an ally of the Awami League.
But the case for Bangladesh Khelfat Majlish candidate for Dhaka 4, Abdul Malek and JSD (Rab) candidate for Dhaka 8 MA Yousuf was different. The authorities only allowed five people to accompany them.
Speaking to Bangla Tribune, Awami League’s Saber Hossain Chowdhury said, “I actually was not aware who came with me, but there were some leaders of the Awami League and its front organisations. We are alert over not violation the code of conduct.”
Meanwhile, the Election Commission has said on Tuesday that processions or ‘showdowns’ while filing nominations will be considered as a violation.
“Any kind of processions or motorcades is prohibited while submitting the nomination papers. We have received reports of such incidents already. The law enforcers and executive magistrates have been instructed to take action against any such incident,” EC Secretary Helal Uddin Ahmed told the media.
No candidates except for the chiefs of political parties will be allowed to use helicopters for the campaign, the official said before adding only five to seven people can accompany a candidate while filing nominations.