The Election Commission is likely to ask the returning officers concerned today to look into the allegations of electoral code violation against around two dozen ministers and lawmakers, and take action against them if found guilty.

The EC makes the move on the basis of newspaper reports that said they took part in electoral activities flouting the rules, according to an election commissioner.

"There have been reports in the media that some ministers and lawmakers violated electoral rules by joining polls activities," the commissioner told The Daily Star yesterday, seeking anonymity. 

Officials at the EC secretariat yesterday prepared a draft list of the ministers and MPs.

The ministers who are on the list include Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu, Religious Affairs Minister Motior Rahaman, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam, State Minister for Food Nuruzzaman Ahmed and State Minister for ICT Division Zunaid Ahmed Palak, according to the officials.

The lawmakers include RAM Obaidul Muktadir Chowdhury (Brahmanbaria-3), Hashibur Rahman Swapon (Sirajganj-6), Ayesha Ferdaus (Noakhali-6), Abdur Rouf (Kushtia-4), Afzal Hossain (Kishoreganj-5), Momotaz Begum (Manikganj-2), Didarul Alam (Chittagong-4), Nazmul Hassan Papon (Kishoreganj-6), Anwarul Abedin Khan (Mymensingh-9), Kabirul Haque Mukti (Narail-1), AKM Fazlul Haque (Sherpur-3), Abdur Rahman (Faridpur-1), Suhrab Uddin (Kishoreganj-2), Abdul Quddus (Natore-4), Nahim Razzaq (Shariatpur-3) and Abu Zahir (Habiganj-3).

Wishing anonymity, a deputy secretary at the EC secretariat said last night, "We are scrutinising the list and media reports. A few names may be dropped from the list. Once finalised, it will be sent to the commissioners for approval to issue necessary directives today."

As per the electoral code of conduct, ministers and MPs are not allowed to participate in any electoral activities for the upcoming municipality polls.

Candidates or their supporters can face a fine of Tk 50,000 or six-month's jail or both for flouting the electoral code. The aspirants could even lose candidacy.

Talking to reporters yesterday afternoon, Election Commissioner Shah Nawaz said, "We have asked returning officers to directly take action against violators of the electoral code, instead of issuing any letter or show cause notice."

"Whoever the violator is, be it a common man or a lawmaker, action will be taken against him immediately," he said at his office at the EC secretariat.

According to media reports, some ministers and MPs breached the electoral rules by taking part in electoral activities in different municipalities over the last three weeks.

It was reported in the media that Inu and Motior on December 3 joined a rally in Phulpur and urged local party men to remain united and work together to clinch victory for the Awami League-nominated mayoral aspirant there.

Nahim Razzaq, lawmaker from Shariatpur-3, allegedly forced an AL rebel mayoral aspirant in Vedarganj municipality of Shariatpur to withdraw his candidacy on December 13.

Besides, Health Minister Mohammad Nasim, Whip and Sherpur-1 lawmaker Atiur Rahman, Rajshahi-4 lawmaker Enamul Haque and Mymensingh-9 lawmaker Anwarul Abedin Khan campaigned for AL-nominated candidates in their areas at Victory Day programmes on December 16.

In Chatmohar municipality of Pabna, AL Lawmaker Mokbul Hossain campaigned for an AL-nominated mayoral candidate at a meeting on December 14.

As the allegations surfaced in the media, the EC in the last two weeks asked the returning officers of around 50 municipalities to investigate those.

Many of the returning officers informed the EC that they did not find evidence of violation of electoral rules.

On December 6, the EC issued show cause notices to three lawmakers -- Shafiqul Islam Shimul from Natore-2, MA Maleque from Dhaka-20 and Showkat Hasanur Rahman Barguna-2 -- for violating the electoral code.

In response, they said sorry and pledged to refrain from violating the electoral rules in future.

AL WRITES TO EC

The AL yesterday sent a letter to the EC, expressing serious reservations about 10 of the 30 organisations that have been allowed to monitor the December 30 polls.

A party delegation would meet the chief election commissioner today to discuss the matter, an AL source told The Daily Star.

The 10 organisations are Manobadhikar Somonnoy Parishad, Democracy Watch, Manobik Sahajjo Songstha, Khan Foundation, Manobadhikar o Somaj Unnayan Sangstha, Light House, Odhikar, Right Jessore, Jagoroni Chakra and National Youth Forum.