Pabna-5: BNP candidate accused of violating code of conduct

BNP nominated Paddy Sheaf candidate Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas has been accused of violating the code of conduct in Pabna-5 (Sadar) constituency. Also, for the same reason, Professor Lutfar Rahman, Principal of Government Edward College, has been accused of influencing the election and being politically biased.

Jeeban Mahmud, a member of Jamaat's election management committee, has submitted a written complaint to Civil Judge Ashraful Islam, head of the election inquiry and judicial committee of Pabna-5 constituency.

The complaint states that the government's development activities will be stopped after the election schedule is announced and no person will be able to inaugurate development activities, lay foundation stones, or provide donations on behalf of any candidate/party/aspirant. However, on Sunday (January 18), the foundation stone of the proposed hostel for the Government Edward College, funded by 'Qatar Charity', was formally laid through a rally, subject to the approval of the Ministry of Education. Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas and top leaders of the district BNP participated in it, which is a clear violation of subsections (1), (3) and (4) of Section 4 of the Election Code of Conduct. In addition, allegations of influencing the election and political bias by laying the foundation stone through such a rally and ceremony with only one political party before the election have been made against the college principal, Professor Lutfar Rahman.

No comment was received on this matter even when contacted on the mobile phone of Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas, the BNP candidate for Pabna-5 (Sadar) constituency. No comment was received even when sending questions on WhatsApp.

Meanwhile, when contacted on the mobile phone, the principal of Pabna Government Edward College, Md. Lutfar Rahman, did not say that he was at the meeting. Later, when asked for his opinion via text message, he did not respond.

In this regard, Ashraful Islam, head of the Election Investigation and Judicial Committee of Pabna-5 constituency, said, "We have received the complaint. We are definitely taking action according to our procedure. After taking action, you (journalists) will definitely know."