CEC’s remark a ‘retaliation’ to my differing views on elections: EC Mahbub

Criticising Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) KM Nurul Huda's remarks, Election Commissioner Mahbub Talukder said the comment made on his medical expenses was a retaliation from the CEC.
 
"For my differing position on the elections, the CEC has resorted to such vile measures against me vindictively," he said in a statement sent to the media on Friday.
 
Mahbub Talukder said receiving proper treatment is his fundamental right.
 
On 27 January, CEC KM Nurul Huda at a press conference at the Election Commission, reportedly said the commission spent about Tk40 lakh for Commissioner Mahbub Talukdar's treatment. 
 
In his statement, Mahbub Talukder said, "However, he (Nurul Huda) did not provide an actual expense report of my treatment. I think it is necessary to inform the media in detail about the matter."
 
He said he has been suffering from prostate cancer since he started working as an election commissioner.
 
"Cancer has been spreading to different parts of my body over time and  I have been treated in Singapore and Chennai in India.  Four doctors of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Hospital unanimously approved my treatment abroad after conducting two phases of medical checkups," he said.
 
Mahbub Talukder noted his medical expenses for the treatment has been covered as per the medical rules for election commissioners. 
 
"In the last two years, I have not officially gone abroad for treatment.  I went to America at my own expense in that time," he added.
 
Medical expenses of current and retired election commissioners are borne by the Election Commission as per availability and rules, said the commissioner, adding that KM Nurul Huda himself has been granted money from the Election Commission for medical treatment.