The Election Commission (EC) said they would take into consideration only specific allegations, not vague charges, against candidates in the upcoming Union Parishad (UP) polls scheduled on March 22. “The allegations have to be specific and must mention the place of incidence, persons involved and when it occurred,” Md Sirajul Islam, EC Secretary stated yesterday, while talking to journalists at his office in the EC Secretariat in the capital. “It’s difficult to take action against invisible persons if the election code of conduct is violated. So we would urge to submit letters with specific allegations,” he remarked.
Drawing attention to the allegations of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) that their aspiring candidates are being threatened or harassed, he said, “It’s a matter for law enforcers. The law enforcing agency will look into the matter if specific allegations are submitted to them.” On the level playing field in the UP polls, he said, “All candidates, whether political or Independent, are equal before the EC. The Regional Election Officers and District Election Officers are actively working in this regard. All candidates will get equal treatment from EC.”
Meanwhile, the deadline for submission of nomination papers ended yesterday. A total of 21 out of 40 registered political parties have confirmed that their candidates will contest for the post of Chairman in the upcoming polls in 739 UPs. The Independent candidates will also be participating alongside.