Nomination filing ends

Rebel chairman aspirants of union parishads from the Awami League and the BNP yesterday filed for candidacies in many places along with their party-nominated candidates on the last day for nomination submission.

Besides, AL men allegedly prevented BNP-nominated candidates and AL's rebel aspirants from submitting applications before the returning officers concerned in a number of UPs.

In first phase, elections to over 700 union parishads will be held on March 22. For the first time in Bangladesh, elections to the post of chairman in UPs will be held on partisan lines.

The AL has rebel candidates in 74 UPs in Barisal, 11 UPs in Tangail, 12 UPs in Bogra, three in Mymensingh, nine in Cox's Bazar, 28 in Patuakhali and eight UPs in Noakhali.

The BNP has dissidents in 12 UPs in Bogra, four in Mymensingh and two in Cox's Bazar, report our correspondents.

In Pirojpur, AL men allegedly attacked AL rebel candidates, independent candidates, and their followers in Kalipara and Doihari UPs when they were on their way to file nomination.

In Doihari UP, AL men reportedly assaulted the brother of a BNP leader. In, Saregkathi UP, supporters of an AL rebel candidate attacked an independent aspirant.

Independent chairman aspirant in Tikikata UP under Mothbaria upazila of Pirojpur Hossain Mosharraf Saku alleged that AL men held him for three hours so that he could not file his nomination.

However, he managed to escape and submit his nomination papers.

In Satkhira, some AL rebel candidates and BNP aspirants alleged that they were obstructed from filing nominations by ruling AL men .

Local BNP leader Shahidul Islam, chairman aspirant for Sonabaria UP, alleged that he could not submit his nominations fearing attack by AL men.

Ibrahim Hossain, a BNP leader and incumbent chairman of Deyara UP, said AL men snatched the nomination documents of his wife Nazma Parveen, who wanted to run for chairman in the same UP.

Similar incidents took place in some UPs of Jhalakathi as well.

“I could not submit my candidateship paper as it was torn by my rival candidate Abdus Salam who got the nomination from the Awami League,” claimed Abdul Hamed, an AL rebel candidate in Ranapasha UP. 

In Jhalakathi, some candidates showed off their muscle power while submitting nomination papers violating electoral rules.

Siddikur Raham, chairman of Saturia UP, led a motorcade to file his nomination. Abul Kalam, chairman aspirant for Suktagor UP, went to the office of the returning officer concerned in a procession.

Meanwhile, Election Commissioner Zabed Ali yesterday warned that stern action would be taken against those who would try to act against the holding of a free and fair election.

He was addressing an election preparation meeting at the conference room of the deputy commissioner of Bagerhat.

EC Secretary Sirazul Islam talking to reporters at his office said the EC would take necessary steps if anyone came up with specific allegations.