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Party leaders violate code of conduct

EC to probe allegation of false information by mayor aspirants

Shakhawat Liton
Central and local level leaders of some 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 (CEO ATM Shamsul Huda yesterday expressed satisfaction with overall compliance with the code of conduct.
The same day the EC at a meeting decided to investigate allegations of mayoral candidates giving false information in their affidavits. Legal actions will be taken against violators, 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 or local level senior leader soliciting votes for them.
It also asked the officials to inform the EC Secretariat immediately on noticing any breach of the electoral rules in the election areas--four city corporations and nine municipalities.
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 some places.
It says participation of central and local level senior leaders in electioneering is a violation of local government (city corporation) electoral rules 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 campaigns would constitute a criminal offence punishable by imprisonment and fine and even cancellation of candidature.
Following the announcement of election schedule, the Awami League (AL) led 14-party combine chose its mayoral candidates and declared the names in quite a formal manner.
Though the BNP-led four-party alliance is boycotting the polls, its grassroots have joined the race, disregarding the decision.
The EC did not take any action against the political parties for their overt involvement in the local government polls even though activities like selecting candidates
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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 flouting the electoral rules, CEC Huda yesterday told reporters that the candidates were carrying out election campaigns 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 probe the allegations against some mayoral candidates of furnishing false information.
"There are allegations that some candidates have given false and incomplete information in their affidavits. Steps will be taken against the violators on completion of enquiry," the polls chief told reporters after a meeting at the commission secretariat.
At the meeting, the EC in particular discussed the allegation against Syed Habibur Rahman Hiron, a mayoral contender in Sylhet City Corporation (SCC).
Hiron is alleged to have provided incomplete information and also divulged his political identity in his affidavit on per-
sonal information, said sources.
The EC will also examine if it was irregular for the RO in SCC to accept Hiron's candidacy application, said the meeting sources.
This apart, the commission will launch enquiry on the basis of allegations that came up in the media about candidates furnishing incomplete information.
ECACCUSES ATN
In a somewhat surprise move, the EC yesterday accused ATN Bangla, a private TV channel, of violating the electoral code of conduct.
It said the satellite 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 between 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,” it continues.
“In this context, it is requested that the electoral code of conduct be complied with in broadcasting any programme on election in future.”
A copy of the press release signed by EC Secretariat's Public Relations Officer SM Asaduzzaman 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.