Pro-govt platform convenes election rally ‘violating’ code

Supporters of two Awami League-backed Dhaka city mayor candidates have convened an ‘election rally’ even as poll code forbids any such programme.

In a statement to media outlets on Saturday, the supporters sought coverage for the rally to be led by a ruling party MP.
 
Pro-government National Freedom Fighters Coordination Committee said AB Tajul Islam, head of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Ministry of Liberation War affairs, would lead the rally.
 
The organisation’s General Secretary Shafikul Bahar Majumder Tipu told bdnews24.com that local MPs would also take part in the rally on Sunday, the last day of campaigning for the Apr 28 polls.
 
Asked whether such ‘election rally’ was not the violation of code of conduct for local government elections, Tipu said, “You saw (BNP Chairperson) Khaleda Zia campaigning with 800 motorbikes. We’ll not do anything like that.”
 
He said their rally would be a ‘peaceful’ one and no procession would be taken out.
 
“We’ll only distribute leaflets seeking votes for our candidates at Karwan Bazar,” he said.
 
The code of conduct for city corporation elections prohibits any sort of public rally or mass procession other than street rallies and home meetings.
 
Earlier, allegations of violating the poll code were levelled against ruling party-baked Dhaka South mayor aspirant Sayeed Khokon and Annisul Huq of Dhaka North.
 
Following the Election Commission’s directive, Dhaka’s returning officers have warned BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia for creating ‘unwanted’ situations during her city poll campaigns.
 
Khaleda has been campaigning with a motorcade since last week for her party-backed Dhaka city mayor runners.