‘How can I contest polls under already biased admin?’

Independent candidate in Brahmanbaria-2 constituency, Barrister Rumeen Farhana, has raised questions about the neutrality and credibility of the local administration following the issuance of a show-cause notice against her over allegations of violating the electoral code of conduct.

Talking to local journalists at the Brahmanbaria Press Club yesterday afternoon, she questioned whether a level playing field exists in the ongoing electoral process.

She also accused the administration of bias. “I did not make any obscene gesture. I was referring to an obscene gesture previously made by the Ashuganj BNP general secretary,” she said.

“How can I contest an election under an administration that is already biased?” she asked.

Referring to her rivals, she claimed that other candidates are holding gatherings under the guise of condolence meetings, using microphones and stages, slaughtering cattle, and making indecent remarks against her, yet no action is being taken against them.

Regarding the show-cause notice, Rumeen said she received a copy of the letter through Facebook and her lawyer would respond within the stipulated time. She also argued that issuing such a notice before the formal start of election campaigning contradicts the code of conduct.

According to the notice, on Saturday between approximately 4:00pm and 5:00pm, Rumeen held an election rally at Islamabad in Noagaon union of Sarail upazila in the presence of around 400 to 500 people. When the executive magistrate conducting a mobile court ordered the immediate suspension of the gathering, Rumeen behaved in an “arrogant” and “discourteous” manner and issued various threats. 

Warning election-related authorities, Rumeen recalled the events of August 5, saying, “I hope the administration, police, Election Commission and the government will act neutrally. Do not look at the candidates differently. If neutrality is compromised, what happened across Bangladesh on August 5 can happen in any constituency.”