Money is flying in the campaign of candidates in Chittagong parliamentary elections. The polling ground is heating up with the smell of money. The picture of candidate and candidate's agent distributing money among voters has gone viral on Facebook. Candidates are also filing complaints against each other before the Election Investigation Committee. In these allegations, evidence including pictures or videos of the payment of money is being submitted. Besides condolence, the committee has started field level investigation.
On December 28, during the campaign for the candidate of Boat in Chittagong-15 (Satkaniya) constituency, the picture of distribution of 1000 taka notes has been spread on Facebook. Earlier in Chittagong-12 (Patia) Constituency boat candidate Motaherul Islam giving a 500 rupees note to a voter went viral. Apart from this, the photo of Niaz Morshed Elite, the chief election agent of independent candidate Ghiyas Uddin in Chittagong-1 (Mirsrai) seat, was distributed on Facebook. Manjur Alam, an independent candidate of Chittagong-10 (double mooring) constituency, has also been accused of handing out money. The fact that the picture of money distribution in Patia went viral came to the attention of the Election Investigation Committee. The chairman of the election investigation committee, senior assistant judge of Chittagong, Sheikh Mohibullah said, "Investigation is going on in this regard." Legal action will be taken.' Independent candidate Samshul Haque's son Nazmul Haque Chowdhury Sharoon said that complaints were made with pictures of money distribution in public.
On December 27, around 3:30 pm, boat candidate Motaher went to the public meeting in Akubdandi area of Jangalkhain Union of Patia Upazila. At that time, this incident of money distribution happened. In the video, Motaher directly handed over a 500 taka note to an old man sitting on a chair. At this time, a person said to the old man, 'Pray, vote for the boat brand.'
Meanwhile, UP member of Kusumpura Union and Jubo League leader Khorshed Alam has threatened to find out if he goes to the polling station against the boats in Patia. In the video, Khorshed Alam can be heard saying, 'No one should go against the boat and stand in the polling center on the 7th. Motaherul Islam will only take the oath now.'
Habib Khan, personal assistant of boat candidate Mahbub Rahman Ruhel in Mirsrai, said, 'In the campaign, the chief agent of independent candidate Ghiyas Uddin distributed money to the elite voters. We have complained with pictures.' However, Elite claims that I gave 500 rupees to campaign supporters not to influence the voters. The candidate apologized to the Election Investigation Committee.
Ghiyas Uddin, an independent candidate in Mirsrai, and his chief agent Elite campaigned together on the Dhaka-Chittagong highway on December 19 and 20. At this time, Elite is seen paying 500 taka in the hand of a person. This picture is now circulating on Mirsarai's mobile.
There is an allegation of money distribution against the independent candidate M Manjur Alam, the opponent of the boat candidate Mohiuddin Bachchu in double mooring. However, Manzoor denied the allegations.
Independent candidate of Satkania, MA Motaleb, filed a complaint against the boat candidate, Abu Reza Nezamuddin Mohammad Nadvi, along with the picture of handing over money to the returning officer. However, Nadvi claimed that the allegations were false and said that the employee of the NGO was collecting the loan amount. In a photo that went viral on Facebook, two burqa-clad women in Satkaniya are seen handing out voting leaflets to another woman on a boat. A person is sitting next to them with notebook and pen. He has a bundle of 1000 rupees in his hand.
Sunamganj-1 (Tahirpur) Constituency Tackerghat Police Camp Incharge Sajib Deb Roy has been accused of soliciting votes in the boat symbol. Sajib Deb participated in the campaign with boat workers-supporters in different areas of Sreepur North Union of Tahirpur Upazila. Shafiqul Islam of Bhati Tahirpur village complained about this.
The Election Investigation Committee has issued a shokaj (show-cause notice) to Comilla-2 (Homna-Meghna) Constituency MP and boat candidate Selima Ahmad Meri for campaigning on armed security personnel. It is said in the complaint, 'On December 24, two of the activists and supporters had firearms in their hands during the election campaign in Jaipur Union area of Homna Upazila.' He has been asked to appear in court at 11 a.m. on December 31 to answer the complaint.
An Awami League leader has threatened to expel Kushtia-3 Constituency MP Awami League Joint General Secretary Mahbubul-Alam Hanif (Boat) from the area if he does not vote. The leader's name is Abdul Quddus. He is the expelled leader of Haripur Union Awami League of Sadar Upazila. He made the threat in a street meeting in the local market on Friday afternoon. At that time, he also threatened senior Awami League leader and Kushtia Municipal Mayor Anwar Ali, father of independent candidate Parvez Anwar.
Abdul Quddus said, "People of Haripur today who are disloyal with Hanif Bhai, open their ears and listen, those who are going after Anwar Ali's son are disloyal. After the 7th, the people of Haripur will throw you away. If you go to the city, people will tell you, look at the caste of Beiman. We will not allow them to live in Haripur to escape that stigma, they will be thrown out.'
District Returning Officer and District Commissioner Ehtesham Reza said about the threat, "There is no opportunity to make such a statement. This falls under the code of conduct. Action will be taken if voters are intimidated.'
Meanwhile, a complaint has been filed against Pirojpur's Bhandaria upazila chairman Mirazul Islam Miraz for insulting Ittefaq publisher Tarin Hossain during the election campaign. Tarin Hossain, the daughter of Anwar Hossain Manju, the candidate for Pirojpur-2 seat, made a complaint to Chief Election Commissioner (EC) Kazi Habibul Awal at the Agargaon election building in the capital on Thursday.
EC Secretariat Additional Secretary Ashok Kumar Debnath said, the complaint has been noticed. Legal action will be taken if found to be true.
