Tarique’s videoconference: EC to take actions after reviewing laws

The election commission will take its actions over the videoconference of BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman, who is convicted on various charges, after reviewing the relevant laws.

Election Commissioner Md Rafiqul Islam came up with the statement on Sunday while talking to the journalists at his office at the Nirbachan Bhaban at Agargaon in Dhaka, reports BSS.

“If anyone complains to us with evidences about Tarique’s videoconference over the scrutiny of party nomination papers, we will ask the concerned authorities to take actions after reviewing existing laws,” he said.

The election commissioner said: “If there is no provision in laws over the issue, we will discuss the matter in the commission to take a decision over it.”

Asked whether Tarique could make videoconference if he stayed in the country, the election commissioner said a convicted criminal should have been in jail or a fugitive.

“If anyone is in jail, he or she could not do that. If he does it after getting release on bail, this could not be any problem. But the perspective is completely different. We can take any decision after reviewing the laws,” he said.

About the list of the cases against BNP leaders and workers given to the EC after the announcement of the parliamentary polls schedule, he said the commission will examine the lists and if there is any harassment case, the police will be given directives not to lodge harassment cases.

About the election campaign, Rafiqul Islam said all prior election campaign materials should be removed by today (Sunday). If any intending candidate does not do this, steps will be taken against him, he added.

As per the revised schedule of the 11th parliamentary election, voting will be held on December 30 while the last date of nomination paper submission is November 28.

The scrutiny of nomination papers will be held on December 2 and the deadline for withdrawal of candidature is December 9.