Election commissioner Mahbub Talukder sent an ‘unofficial note’ to the Chief Election Commissioner and returning officers of Dhaka north and south city elections saying that the level playing field for the candidates would not be ensured if lawmakers participate in the electioneering.
He said, “I noticed a good number of lawmakers participating in electioneering in favour of their mayoral candidates, whereas the City Corporation (Electoral Code) Rules 2016 does not allow the MPs to join such campaign.” He urged the CEC and returning officers to take immediate steps on it. Otherwise, the neutrality of the Election Commission will be questioned, he said.
Six mayor candidates, 251 councillor candidates, and 77 councillor candidates for reserved seats are contesting in the DNCC polls. After announcement of the polls schedule, a group of AL lawmakers started campaigning in favour of their party nominated mayoral candidates breaching the electoral code of conduct.
Awami League has assigned its advisory council members and MPs Amir Hossain Amu and Tofail Ahmed to coordinate its city election activities. The polls to the Dhaka north and south cities are scheduled to be held on January 30. Candidates for Dhaka north and south city elections started electioneering from Friday afternoon after the returning officers allocated electoral symbols among them in the morning.
