The Election Commission has ordered Awami League MP and whip in Parliament Atiur Rahman Atik to leave election areas under his constituency (Sherpur-1) for allegedly violating the electoral code of conduct ahead of the Union Parishad election, reports UNB from Sherpur. Atik Rahman was also asked not to stay in Sherpur until the Union Parishad election is over. The EC on Thursday night issued a directive in this regard, District Election Officer Mohammad Mukhlesur Rahman confirmed yesterday. He quoted EC Deputy Secretary Farhad Ahmed Khan as saying that the directive was issued for arranging Saturday’s Union Parishad election in a free and fair manner.
The copy of the directive has already been sent to the returning officer concerned and Atiur Rahmam MP, Mukhlesur said. Earlier on Thursday, the EC also withdrew officer in-charge (OC) of Sherpur Sadar Upazila for providing protocol and security to Atiur Rahman Atik in the election area. Seven UPs under Sadar Upazila are going to polls from 8am to 4pm on Saturday as part of the 4th phase of the UP election. On May 3, Whip Atik allegedly begged votes in favour of AL chairman candidate Awladul Islam after visiting Gazirkhamar High School at Gazirkhamar Union in the Sadar Upazila, which was a violation of the election code. The EC took the action against the whip following media reports published on Wednesday.
About the withdrawal of OC, Deputy Commissioner of Sherpur Dr MA Parvez Rahim said there is no provision of providing police security to any VIP in election area during the polls according to the electoral laws. As the OC violated the laws, the EC took action against him, the DC said.