EC summons AL candidate Azmat Ullah over code of conduct breach

The Election Commission has summoned Azmat Ullah, the Awami League candidate for Gazipur mayor, on allegation that he violated the code of conduct.

Azmat Ullah will need to appear in the EC headquarters in Dhaka on May 7 and explain why his candidacy will not be scrapped or why legal action will not be taken against him, according to a letter sent by the commission on Sunday.

Azmat Ullah said he was yet to receive the letter and would take proper steps when he got it.

“But I’m always trying to follow the code of conduct. I will continue to assist the EC in their work,” he said.

On Thursday, Azmat Ullah rallied thousands of people before submitting his paper and arrived at the party office with other leaders and supporters.

Then he, accompanied by the others who were shouting slogans, travelled to the election officer’s workplace at Bangataz Auditorium in Rathkhola to submit his nomination papers, although the rules state no more than five people can accompany a candidate during the filing.

The commission noted in the letter it holds the power to penalise, fine and cancel nomination for violating the rules.

Earlier on Thursday, Election Commissioner Md Alamgir said the EC planned to request the Cabinet Division, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader and Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury to instruct ministers, state ministers and members of parliament to abide by the election code of conduct.

“We receive complaints that those in the ruling party tend to breach the code. We hope for them to behave responsibly as the ruling party has much to shoulder for a proper election,” he added.

The liberation war affairs minister and youth and sports minister revealed plans to join programmes in Gazipur after the announcement of the city corporation election schedule.

The members of the ruling party participated in different programmes despite the returning officer reminding their personal secretaries about the rules that people enjoying government facilities cannot do so.

According to the code of conduct, the authorities are barred from approving meetings, ceremonies, rallies or projects in such situations.

The EC has prohibited important ruling party members from campaigning for nominees and joining other election activities.

Ashadul Haque, a spokesperson for the EC, said in a statement that they sent letters to the Awami League general secretary and the secretary general of the Jatiya Party asking for support from the parties in maintaining the rules of election.