Japar mayoral candidate fined for violating code of conduct

Returning officer has thwarted the gathering of Jatiya Party workers in Gaibandha’s Sundarganj municipality election by violating the rules. The mobile court imposed a fine of Tk 10,000 on Abdur Rashid Sarkar Dablu, the mayoral candidate of Jatiya Party’s Langal Pratik, for violating the code of conduct. Executive Magistrate and Assistant Commissioner (Land) Shakil Ahmed, who is in charge of the election, collected the fine.

On Tuesday (January 12) afternoon, the Returning Officer closed the election meeting of Japar as the workers had gathered in violation of the election rules at the DW Government College ground in the upazila. The JPA candidate was fined Tk 10,000 for violating the election rules. Barrister Shamim Haider Patwari, a local MP and Additional Secretary General of the JPA, was prevented from attending the meeting and was taken to the office of the Returning Officer. Upazila Nirbahi Officer and Returning Officer Mohammad Al Maruf then escorted the MP out of the constituency. The Japar candidate was also warned not to break the code of conduct later.

It is learned that Jatiya Party organized a staff meeting on the occasion of municipal elections at DW Government College ground in the upazila. Hundreds of leaders and activists gathered without the prior permission of the Election Commission. Returning Officer and Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mohammad Al Maruf appeared at the Japar rally after receiving the news. Later, the Returning Officer stopped holding the meeting without permission. Japar mayoral candidate Abdur Rashid Sarkar Dablu was fined Tk 10,000 for violating the election code of conduct. Otherwise, the executive magistrate sentenced him to seven days imprisonment. Later, the Japar mayoral candidate paid the fine when he was produced in the office of the Returning Officer. The Japanese mayoral candidate was then warned and released. It is learned that several leaders of the Jatiya Party Central Committee were also present at the election meeting.

Confirming the matter, Executive Magistrate and Assistant Commissioner (Land) Shakil Ahmed said Japar mayoral candidate has been fined Tk 10,000 for violating the code of conduct in municipal elections. This is the first time he has been charged with misconduct.

It may be mentioned that in the second phase, voting will be held in this municipality on January 16 this year. Seven candidates will contest for the post of mayor, 33 for the post of general councilor and 11 for the post of reserved women councilor. 14,081 voters will exercise their franchise in 44 booths in nine polling stations.

DC