EC warns Ershad, Khaleda over city poll campaigns

Jatiya Party Chairman Hussein Muhammad Ershad cannot campaign for party-backed city poll aspirants since he holds government office as the prime minister’s special envoy, Election Commission has said.

The commission also warned against BNP chief Khaleda Zia against campaigning, saying although she does not hold government office, her motorcade during the campaigns hampers city life.

On Tuesday, returning officer of Dhaka South City Corporation, Mihir Sarwar Morshed said, mayor candidates and their poll agents have been told to be careful and not violate the poll code during campaigns involving key political leaders.

“Recent incidents of blocking roads and use of motorcades during campaigns involving political leader have come to our notice, which violates poll codes.”

The EC official said that they have discussed with representatives of the mayor aspirants on Monday and instructed them to follow rules strictly during campaign. “We also advised them on related issues up to the collection of poll results.”

He continued that Ershad has already participated in a number of rallies and campaigned for party candidates. “We requested him to refrain from campaigning as he is a government beneficiary.”

Dhaka North returning officer, Md Shah Alam said, he did not receive any such complaints from his area. “No one would be let off for poll code violation.”

EC Secretary Md Sirajul Islam said they will look into allegations of Khaleda Zia being barred from campaigning if it is lodged with them by the related candidates.

The BNP chief faced resistance on Sunday at Uttara while canvassing for BNP-backed Dhaka North mayor candidate Tabith Awal. A day later, her motorcade came under attack at Karwan Bazar.

She escaped unharmed but vehicles in her motorcade were damaged.