Dhaka: BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami candidates in Dhaka-15 constituency have accused each other of breaching the election code of conduct following the allocation of their symbols by the returning officer.
According to United News of Bangladesh, symbols for candidates contesting in Dhaka-13 and Dhaka-15 constituencies were distributed at the Returning Officer office at the Election Training Institute in Dhaka’s Agargaon. BNP candidate Shafiqul Islam Khan Milton was allocated the ‘Paddy Sheaf’ symbol, while Jamaat’s Amir Shafiqul Rahman received the ‘Scales’ symbol.
After receiving his symbol, BNP candidate Milton expressed concerns, stating that he adhered to the election code of conduct, but alleged that Jamaat did not. He noted that while his party was represented by five individuals, Jamaat brought more than ten people to the venue.
Milton further accused Jamaat’s female activists of violating election rules by going door to door in Dhaka-15, collecting voters’ ID cards and mobile payment numbers. He described this action as a breach of the code of conduct, emphasizing that personal information like NID and bKash numbers should not be shared with outsiders. He claimed that when questioned, the activists quickly left, only for their leaders to return with a larger group to harass those who raised concerns, pointing to similar incidents in Pirerbagh and Shewrapara.
Additionally, Milton alleged that Jamaat’s workers assaulted two BNP activists. He stated that he had contacted the police and military to restore order and urged the Election Commission to ensure a free and safe voting environment.
On the other hand, Assistant Secretary General of Jamaat, Ehsanul Mahbub Zubayer, asserted that their party is committed to a peaceful election process, hoping all candidates will compete fairly and the election will decide the winner. He mentioned past attacks on their party by terrorists and expressed a desire for a terror-free election, criticizing the conduct of the last three elections and urging the Election Commission to ensure fairness.
Responding to the allegations made by BNP about early campaigning by women, Zubayer dismissed them as false, stating that all campaign materials were removed after the schedule was announced, and Jamaat did not wait for the Election Commission’s directive.
Zubayer also claimed that their female voters faced harassment from another party, expressing hope that such incidents would not happen again.