C T Online Desk: Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud on Wednesday said action would be taken following an investigation into allegations that SM Khaliduzzaman, the Jamaat-e-Islami candidate for the Dhaka-17 parliamentary constituency, used abusive language and verbally insulted members of the Bangladesh Army.
Speaking to reporters at the Election Commission, Masud said allegations that the candidate behaved improperly with army personnel and allegedly attempted to forcibly take weapons are under investigation.
He said any aggrieved person may file a complaint with the Electoral Inquiry Committee or the Adjudication Committee. If the committees find violations of the code of conduct by any individual—whether a candidate, voter, or other person—they will submit recommendations to the Commission, which will take action based on evidence.
Masud said around 300 Electoral Inquiry and Adjudication Committees, comprising about 300 judges, are currently operating nationwide, alongside mobile courts led by executive magistrates. He added that fines and punitive measures have already been imposed in areas where violations have been proven and similar action will be taken if allegations are substantiated.
He said the committees may also take cognizance of matters based on media reports or other information, even in the absence of formal complaints. In serious cases, the Election Commission may itself order an investigation.
Asked about the overall electoral environment, Masud said the Commission believed the situation is reasonably good and comparatively better.
On the cancellation of the election in the Sherpur-3 constituency following the death of a Jamaat-nominated candidate, he said there is no possibility of holding the election before February 12, citing the requirement for at least 15 days’ notice and time for scrutiny and appeals.
