Lalmonirhat's Aditmari UZ polls suspended

The Election Commission (EC) on Friday suspended the polls for Aditmari upazila parishad scheduled for today, following violation of election rules by the assistant private secretary (APS) to Social Welfare Minister Nuruzzaman Ahmed.

Following the EC's directive, Aditmari Upazila Election Officer Abu Sayeem filed a case against APS Mizanur Rahman, a resident of Mahishkhocha village, with Aditmari Police Station yesterday morning, Officer in Charge (OC) of the police station Masud Rana said. 

Earlier, on March 5, rival candidate Imrul Kayes Farooque submitted a written compliant with the EC after APS Mizanur sought votes for Awami League (AL) backed chairman candidate Rafiqul Islam, violating the election rules.

The election to Aditmari upazila parishad was suspended following an order issued by the EC in this regard, Returning Officer Manjurul Hasan said.

Meanwhile, following an order from the EC, the Officer in Charge (OC) of Patgram Police Station Sajjad Hossain was withdrawn from his duty on Friday night.

Earlier, AL's rival candidate Wazedul Islam Shaheen submitted a written complaint to the EC after OC Sajjad declined to register a case against AL candidate Ruhul Amin Babul for alleged attack on Shaheen and his supporters on March 5.

Returning Officer Manjurul Hasan said Lalmonirhat Superintendent of Police SM Rashidul Haque withdrew OC Sajjad from his duty, following a written complaint submitted against him.

Away in Habiganj, the District Returning Officer (RO) has warned AL lawmaker for Habiganj-2 (Baniachong and Ajmeriganj upazilas) constituency Abdul Majid Khan for violating the electoral rules in the upcoming Baniachong upazila parishad polls.

RO Mohammad Nazim Uddin issued the warning letter after rebel candidate Iqbal Hossain Khan submitted a written complaint to the RO on March 5.

In his complaint Iqbal alleged that during a meeting, organised by the upazila unit Jubo League, at North-East Union Parishad on February 28 Lawmaker Majid sought votes for AL nominated candidate Abul Kashem Chowdhury which is completely violation of the election rules.

Our correspondents from Lalmonirhat and Moulvibazar contributed to the reports.