Decision of cancelling candidature to be taken this week

No one was punished despite issuing a show cause notice for violating the code of conduct ahead of 12th national election in Bangladesh.

However, this week, the Election Commission will notify its decision on the issue of violation of the code of conduct.

According to Election Commission (EC) sources, there will be a discussion whether the candidature of anyone will be scrapped.

Increased number of show-cause

Around 150 candidates across the country received show-cause notice for violating code of conducts of the election. Most of them started election campaign before the EC-scheduled starting time.

Dhirendra Debnath Shambhu, the Awami League candidate for Barguna-1 constituency, received the highest amount of show-cause with three notices. Comilla-6 ruling party candidate AKM Bahauddin Bahar also received three show-causes, said EC sources.

Two times show-cause notices have been issued by EC against Chandpur-2 contender Mofazzel Hossain Chowdhury Maya.

However, in response to the question why any disciplinary action is yet to be taken against those contenders received show-cause, EC Additional Secretary Ashok Kumar Debnath said the EC will take action as per the rules within a week since the rules have been violated.

Election observer Badiul Alam Majumder told The Report.Live that since 2008 till now, there has been no example of candidature cancellation by the EC.

“But actions must be taken,” he added.

Penalties for multiple show-causes

If any order or direction is issued under clause 6 (A) of Section 91 (A) of the Rules of Procedure of the national assembly elections manual, the EC shall impose a fine of not more than Tk 1 lakh but not less than Tk 20,000 on the concerned person or political party and can also cancel the candidature of the candidate.

Election commissioner Md Alamgir told the media that no decision of revoking candidacy has been made yet.

“The EC has issued strict instructions to the returning officers to take action against violators of the code of conduct,” he added.

Mentionable, no election campaign such as meetings, gatherings, soliciting votes can be done before three weeks of the election (January 7). Many candidates were seen running campaign before December 18, 2023.