Independent candidate of Brahmanbaria-2 and expelled BNP leader Rumeen Farhana alleged on Thursday that she was forced to come to Dhaka on the first day of the electioneering, accusing the administration and police of bias.
“Today I have come to the Election Commission with my written explanation. I was supposed to be in the field, but I was forced to come to Dhaka because I think the administration and the police are not as neutral as they should be,” she said after meeting three election commissioners at Nirbachan Bhaban in the capital.
The Electoral Enquiry and Adjudication Committee on Monday last issued a show-cause notice to former MP Rumeen Farhana over alleged violations of the electoral code of conduct in Brahmanbaria-2 constituency, which includes Sarail and Ashuganj upazilas and two unions of Bijoynagar upazila.
The notice accused her of obstructing judicial duties and allegedly threatening an executive magistrate and showing a thumb gesture at the magistrate during a mobile court operation.
In the notice, Rumeen was asked to submit a written explanation by 2:00 pm on January 22. Responding to the allegation, Rumeen said she had already submitted her written reply to the inquiry committee.
She further alleged that her supporters had been attacked, beaten and sent to hospitals, with some sustaining head injuries, while houses were vandalised and set on fire. “So far, no cases have been filed.
“I have come to inform the Election Commission that as an independent candidate, I am to contest against major political parties (in the election),” she said.
‘Will Tell EU’
Rumeen also said she would brief European Union election observers about the situation later in the day.
“I want to say very clearly that no political party should dare to play games or manipulate the election process in Bangladesh. People have struggled for 15 years for a fair election. Regardless of which party we belonged to, we fought from our respective positions. We will not allow another manipulated election in Bangladesh,” she said.
Replying to a question, Rumeen said she would definitely remain in the election race and continue campaigning. “I want a fair and credible election. No matter what happens, I will stay in the race till the end,” she added, saying she would keep the media and observers informed regularly.
The Election Commission on December 11 announced the schedule to hold the 13th parliament election and the referendum on the July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) Implementation Order simultaneously on February 12 next.
The election campaign began officially on Thursday after the Commission allocated electoral symbols on Wednesday to as many as 1,972 candidates contesting the upcoming election from 298 constituencies, excluding Pabna-1 and Pabna-2.
The number of contesting candidates would rise further once contestants from Pabna-1 and Pabna-2 are added. Currently, there are nine valid candidates in the two constituencies.
Altogether, the total number of candidates across the 300 constituencies stands at 1,981—comprising 1,732 candidates from 51 registered political parties and 249 independent candidates.