Manikganj zila parishad polls: Chairman candidate goes into hiding fearing attacks
KM Bajlul Haque Ripon, an independent chairman candidate for Manikganj zila parishad elections, has gone into hiding fearing attacks allegedly by ruling party-backed chairman candidate after he was threatened to withdraw his candidature.
Last night (September 20), Ripon submitted a written complaint to the returning officer of Manikganj zila parishad polls, who is also the deputy commissioner of the district.
He sent a copy of the complaint to the chief election commissioner, election commissioners, commission secretary and superintendent of Manikganj police.
In the complaint, Ripon said he along with two of his followers, who proposed and supported his nomination, have fled their homes in fear of attacks by the ruling party candidate's supporters.
Talking to The Daily Star, the independent chairman candidate said "I am a lawyer of the Supreme Court. I became an independent candidate for the post of chairman in the Manikganj zila parishad elections this time. But I did not get a good election atmosphere. Since the collection of nomination papers, my opponent has been constantly threatening me and my two supporters to keep me away from the election."
"On September 18, when I came out of the returning officer's conference room after the selection of nomination papers, some of my opponents pressured me to withdraw my nomination papers," he said.
He also claimed that around 11 pm, on September 19, the supporters of his rival candidate attacked the houses of two people, who proposed and supported his nomination. But they managed to flee their houses.
Ripon also alleged that after failing to attack them, the men started threatening and abusing their family members and allegedly confined their family members to their houses till 3am.
Returning Officer and Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Abdul Latif said he received the written complaint of the independent candidate. "Manikganj SP will look into it. I will talk to him in this connection."
Superintendent of Police Mohammad Golam Azad Khan said "I still do not know anything in this regard. If I receive a specific complaint, I will definitely take necessary action."
AL nominated chairman candidate and Manikganj AL President Advocate Golam Mohiuddin said "All the allegations made against me or my supporters are totally false. There were several candidates against me in the last election as well. I became the chairman by defeating them. The party chief, Hon'ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has nominated me this time too. I am going door to door for votes. If they vote for me, I will win. If not, I will lose."