Nganj MP flouts poll code
Awami League (AL) MP Shamim Osman yesterday violated the electoral code of conduct in the Narayanganj City Corporation (NCC) election by openly casting his vote in favour of the ruling partys mayoral candidate, Selina Hayat Ivy. The lawmaker went to the Narayanganj Bar Academy polling centre in Ward 12 around 2.40 pm and cast his vote for the boat (Selinas electoral symbol). Shamim, however, did not enter the designated booth to do so and also showed his ballot paper to media persons. Making light of the violation of electoral code, Shamim said he wanted to give something special to journalists. I wanted to make you (journalists) happy at my cost. Its a gift for my younger brothers, he added. Without mentioning the AL candidates name, Shamim said he hoped that the boat would win the NCC poll. He also promised to treat journalists to icecreams if his party emerged victorious. He said the two challenges for his party was to ensure holding the election in a free and fair manner and achieving victory. On his part, returning officer Nuruzzaman Talukder told reporters that casting vote in the open was a violation of the electoral code of conduct. He, however, added that he was not aware about the incident involving the lawmaker.
