Allegation of election rules violation against BGMEA president, panel leader
"I just sent the crest as BGMEA president, not as a candidate of next election. The intention is clear in this case"
Ahead of 4 April election of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), two contesting panels - Sammilita Parishad and Forum - have raised allegations against each other of violating electoral code of conducts.
Former BGMEA president and chief election coordinator of Sammilita Parishad Abdus Salam Murshedy on Monday sent a letter to the BGMEA Election chief commissioner alleging that current BGMEA President Dr Rubana Huq influenced the election process.
He alleged that Dr Rubana Huq, in an attempt to influence the election process, has sent gifts to the voters in the name of the BGMEA president.
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Confirming this issue Sammilita Parishad media coordinator Fazlee Shamim Ehsan told The Business Standard, "After starting the election process, the board should not do anything except regular jobs like UD issues and others day to day tasks."
"Being a candidate at the upcoming election Dr Rubana Huaq has sent gift boxes in the name of the BGMEA president," he added.
However, Dr Rubana Huq claimed, "As BGMEA president, I can congratulate our members on the occasion of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's birth centenary and the Golden Jubilee of Bangladesh's Independence."
"I just sent the crest as BGMEA president, not as a candidate of next election. The intention is clear in this case," she added.
Ehsan said BGMEA president has no authority to do such a thing after the initiation of the election process.
"If any president wants to spend a single penny, prior approval by the board is required, but in this case, we have no knowledge about such board approval," claimed Ehsan.
On the other hand, Khan Monirul Alam Shuvo, a director candidate from Forum said, "The Forum has officially complained to the BGMEA election board for repeated violations of the election code by the candidates from Sammilita Parishad."
"The complaints have been filed on 24 and 29 March against Sammilita Parishad panel leader Faruque Hassan, director candidate Shaidullah Azim and Asif Ashraf as they are sending gifts to voters ensuring them as candidates for the next election", he added.
Sammilita Parishad media coordinator Fazlee Shamim Ehsan has however refuted the allegations claiming, "There was no incident of sending gifts to random voters."
