CPB-backed mayor candidate accuses prime minister of violating election code of conduct

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has violated the election code of conduct by using her official residence to hold a meeting to introduce party-backed mayor candidates, Abdullah Al Kafi Ratan, who is in the race backed by the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), has alleged.

He made the allegation at the office of the returning officer for Dhaka North City Corporation polls, where he went to submit his nominations, on Saturday.

During a meeting with party functionaries at Ganabhaban on Friday, Hasina introduced Annisul Huq and Sayeed Khokon as the Awami League-backed mayor aspirants of two city corporations in Dhaka.

After the meeting, ruling party’s Joint General Secretary Mahbub-Ul-Alam Hanif told bdnews24.com about the party’s final decision to back Annisul and Khokon.

Former FBCCI chief Huq is contesting for mayor of Dhaka North City Corporation.

Khokon, Organising Secretary of the party’s Dhaka City unit, will vie for the post Dhaka South City Corporation mayor.

Speaking to reporters on Saturday, the CPB-backed candidate accused the ‘bigger’ political parties of violating the election code of conduct.

“Candidates are running campaign using money, muscle power and government machinery. Big political parties’ posters and billboards too violate the code. Even the prime minister endorsed two candidates yesterday, which is against the code of conduct,” he said.

The Election Commission, however, did not find anything objectionable in the prime minister’s meeting.

“There’s no option for the parties to participate in the election. This is a non-partisan election.

“But politics will always be there in elections,” said EC Secretary Sirazul Islam.