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An allegation has been made against Pabna Zilla Parishad Chairman Abdur Rahim Pakon by marching with a fleet of trucks in violation of the election code of conduct and campaigning for his brother.
On Sunday (May 19) afternoon, Abdur Rahim Pakon along with his younger brother Meshbahur Rahman Roz, chairman candidate in Bhangura Upazila Parishad elections, toured various roads of Upazila Sadar with a fleet of trucks.
Meshbahur Rahman Roz is contesting for the post of upazila chairman with horse brand symbol. Earlier, Meshbahur Rahman was accused of campaigning on live horses.
Golam Hasnain Russel, the chairman candidate of rival motorcycle symbol, made a verbal complaint to the Upazila Nirbahi Officer and Assistant Returning Officer along with the recorded video.
It is known that Bhangura Upazila Parishad election will be held in the second phase of the sixth upazila parishad election. Upazila Awami League general secretary and outgoing mayor Golam Hasnain Russell (motorcycle), district Awami League member Bakibillah (pineapple) and district Krishak League vice-president Meshbahur Rahman Rose (horse) are contesting for the post of chairman.
The candidates started campaigning after the allotment of symbols on May 2. However, Bakibillah complained of staff shortage due to the influence of another candidate and announced to withdraw from the election by stopping the campaign. In this, Bakibillah's activist supporters supported Meshbahur Rahman Rose. Since then, supporters of Bakibillah and Meshbahur Rahman united and started a massive campaign against Golam Hasnain Russell.
In this situation, Meshbahur Rahman's activists and supporters are campaigning by wearing t-shirts with the image of the candidate and the symbol in violation of the election code of conduct every day. Even on Sunday afternoon, hundreds of workers-supporters rode in 10-15 trucks and staged a showdown and march. It was led by Meshbahur Rahman's elder brother and Zilla Parishad Chairman Abdur Rahim Pakon.
When contacted to talk about the complaint, Meshbahur Rahman called Rose but he did not receive a statement.
However, Zilla Parishad Chairman Abdur Rahim Pakon said, “Although there is a prohibition in the code of conduct, the procession has to be done. You can no longer march on foot. So I am marching with trucks. And everyone else except the minister-MP can conduct election campaign. So I'm running too.'
In this regard, Bhangura Upazila Executive Officer and Assistant Returning Officer Najmunnahar said that they have received a complaint about the procession of the fleet of trucks led by the Zilla Parishad Chairman. This is a clear violation of code of conduct. Legal action will be taken after investigating the matter.
Sharif Ahmed, the returning officer of the second phase of the upazila parishad election and the additional deputy commissioner (general) of Pabna said, 'The upazila executive officer will be asked to take immediate action on the matter.'
Shakeel/Saa
