Jhenaidah Mayoral Polls: Abdul Khaleq's Candidature Canceled

The Election Commission has canceled the nomination papers of the ruling Awami League's mayoral candidate Abdul Khaleq in Jhenaidah municipality for violating the code of conduct.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the EC in Dhaka on Thursday, the day after the incident of interruption in the campaign of rival candidates in Jhenaidah on Wednesday. 

"The decision to cancel the candidature was taken on the basis of information after discussing the overall issues in the commission meeting", EC Secretary told the media.

EC officials said the move was taken against the boat candidate in Jhenaidah as serious allegations were proved.

Elections will be held on June 15 in a few more municipalities and Comilla City Corporation as well as in Jhenaidah municipality.

In Jhenaidah, independent mayoral candidate Quayum Shahriar Zahedee Hijol's supporters, including Hijol were attacked on Wednesday, with Khaleq's supporters being blamed.

The Kazi Habibul Awal Commission was the first to implement it in Jhenaidah after the Representation of the People Order and the Local Government Election Rules were added. 

Article 32 of the Code of Conduct for Local Government (Municipal Elections) states that the EC may direct an immediate inquiry into any breach of the Code of Conduct by the Commission if it receives records or written reports from any source which may disqualify the election of a Mayor or Councilor. If the Commission is satisfied with the report of the inquiry, then the contesting candidate or any person on his behalf has violated the rules for which the concerned candidate may be disqualified, then the EC can immediately cancel the candidature of that contesting candidate.

As Khaleq's candidature was rejected, the nomination papers of three candidates including Hijol are still valid in Jhenaidah. Of these, two are independent candidates and the other is from the Islamic Movement.

Khaleq did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

He has the opportunity to go to court against the decision of the EC.