A controversy has erupted in Pabna's Chatmohar after government-subsidized wheat and corn seeds, distributed under a program by the Bangladesh Wheat and Corn Research Institute (BWR), were handed out by the BNP candidate for the Pabna-3 constituency, Hasan Jafir Tuhin.
The distribution was held on Sunday (December 7) at Balur Char playground in Chatmohar, presided over by BWR Director General Dr. Mahfuz Bajaj, with Tuhin serving as the chief guest and mentioned as a BNP candidate on the event banner.Rival candidates and election officials claim this act potentially violates the Bangladesh Election Commission's rules, which prohibit the use of "government assets, government facilities, government premises and government money" for election work. Former MP KM Anwarul Islam and Jamaat candidate Maulana Ali Azgar both criticized the distribution, calling it an act of influencing the election and a clear violation of the election code of conduct, especially since Tuhin is a political candidate, not a government official. They have called for an investigation and action against the government officials involved.
Contacted for comment, BNP candidate Hasan Jafir Tuhin could not be reached. However, BWR Director General Dr. Mahfuz Bajaj defended the invitation, stating, "He (Hasan Zafir Tuhin) is already known to us, so we just invited him. Only seeds have been distributed." When asked if this would affect the election given Tuhin's candidacy, Dr. Bajaj claimed, "No, it will not. The election schedule has not been announced yet... and this is the primary nomination."
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