Anyone violating the electoral code of conduct in Satkhira UP polls will be punished, says district SP

Stakhira's Superintendent of Police (SP), Md Mostafizur Rahman, said on Wednesday that no one is above the law and anyone who violates the electoral code of conduct in the upcoming union parishad (UP) elections in the district will be punished.

The superintendent of police made the remark talking to journalists about preparations for the upcoming UP elections of Satkhira's Tala, Kalaora, and Patkelghata upazilas, set to be held on June 21.

Mostafizur said the election commission will provide directives on how voting in the 3 upazilas will take place in the midst of lockdowns. Considering the lockdowns, the district police recommended that the elections be held at a later, more convenient time.

Earlier on Tuesday, locals alleged one Bikash Das was roughed up by current Tala Sadar union parishad chairman Sardar Zakir Hossain and his men in the Khanpur Notunbazar area of the upazila, for wanting to cast his vote for a Jatiya Party candidate.

Locals alleged that Zakir and his men have threatened to rough up locals if they decide to cast their vote for anyone other than candidates from the ruling party.

Several allegations have also surfaced about other ruling party candidates in various unions threatening and influencing people there, to force them into voting for ruling party candidates.

In this regard, SP Mostafizur said, "The Electoral Code of Conduct must be followed and applies to any candidate. If anyone violates the Electoral Code of Conduct, action will be taken as per the laws of the Election Commission. If anyone threatens to violate the Electoral Code of Conduct, I urge the concerned persons to lodge a formal complaint with the Election Commission and the police station."

Satkhira District Election Officer Nazmul Kabir said all preparations are underway to hold the elections on June 21. Voters can go to polling stations without hesitation.

Earlier on April 11, the Election Commission announced the postponement of the first phase of the UP elections in 371 Union Parishads (UP) of 64 upazilas in 19 districts, including Satkhira. Later, at a meeting of the Election Commission on June 3, the Commission decided to hold the UP polls on June 21. In accordance with the commission's decision, preparations are underway to hold elections in Satkhira. Voting is going to be held in 11 unions of Tala upazila and 10 unions of Kalaroa upazila of Satkhira. The returning officers of Tala and Kalaroa upazilas have already issued a public notice regarding the elections.