EC asks Azmat Ullah to explain why his candidature should not be cancelled

The Election Commission (EC) has asked Advocate Azmat Ullah Khan, the mayoral candidate of the ruling Awami League, to explain why his candidature for the Gazipur City Corporation elections should not be cancelled due to his violation of the electoral code of conduct for the second time.

Azmat Ullah has been summoned to appear in person in the EC headquarters in Dhaka on 7 May to give his explanation, reads a press release published by the commission on Thursday.

The violation occurred when Youth and Sports State Minister Md Zahid Ahsan Russell held a rally to publicly ask for votes for Azmat Ullah Khan.

Despite being warned beforehand, he campaigned before the allocation of symbols, violating Rule 5 of the Electoral Code of Conduct, and therefore, he will have to be present in person at EC on 7 May to explain his actions.

Moreover, Rule 32 of the Electoral Code of Conduct provides for disqualification of candidature for violation of Rule 5 of the Code of Conduct, the release said.

Earlier on 27 April, he violated the electoral code of conduct after bringing a group of people to stage a showdown while filing nomination papers for the Gazipur city corporation mayoral election to be held 25 May.

He was sent a letter on 30 April by the EC seeking an explanation for his actions.

State Minister Md Zahid Ahsan Russell has also been sent a letter by the commission warning him about the violation he committed by campaigning for the mayoral candidate.