The newly elected mayor of Ghorashal municipality, Shariful Islam Sharif had given false information about his educational qualification in the Election Commission's (EC) prescribed affidavit form before the election held on June 12.

He mentioned in the affidavit that he passed BSc from Jagannath University College in 1983.

Following a complaint lodged by his rival candidate, an investigation by the EC revealed that Sharif did not pass BSc from Jagannath University College in 1983.

Contacted by this correspondent, Mayor Sharif said, "I passed HSC from Jamalpur College in Kaliganj upazila under Gazipur district in 1980. A mistake might have been made in the affidavit submitted to the Election Commission."

Palash Upazila Nirbahi Officer Shaila Yasmin, also the returning officer, said, "Shariful Islam Sharif, who failed to place his BSc certifi-cate, later submitted another affidavit mentioning that he passed HSC."

However, she did not say whether Sharif submitted the fresh affidavit before or after the election.