The Awami League yesterday lodged a complaint with the Election Commission (EC) against, what it said, doles from the Prime Minister's discretionary fund to the ruling party MPs and leaders, reports UNB.

A press release signed by Chief Election Commissioner Justice AKM Sadeque and Election Commissioner Justice Mohammad Abdul Jalil said the EC has set June 15 for hearing ihe petition. The hearing will Itegin at 11 am.

Awami League leader Suran-jit Sengupta submitted the petition. represented by KS Nabi and Rahmat All. the EC release said.

In the complaint, the petitioners said they had reliable inlonnation that in the guise of arscrefwwaiy Tuna tn«r pmiie Minister was distributing to each MP of the ruling BNP an amount of Tk 20 to 25 lakh to influence' tin results of the next Parliament elections.

The Deputy Commissioners have been asked to disburse the said fund, remitted from the Prime Minister's Secretariat, and to spend the same amount of 20/25 lakh and per the directives of the local BNP MPs and ministers, if any.'' said the petition.

The Awami League alleged that the ruling party MPs were drawing the funds and handing out donations to various mosques, tnadrassahs. schools, colleges, local cooperative societies and BNP front organisations with a view to promoting their prospects in the next general elections

The |M-tition said as per Article HI of CO 155 of 1972. the Election commission is under legal obligation to issue necessary ad-interim order restraining the parties from spending money to influence the voters.