EC issues warning to BNP candidate over 'pause extortion till polls' remark
Earlier on 6 February, Sarwar had appealed to the public to refrain from extortion activities until 12 February, the day of the national polls.
The Election Commission (EC) has issued a warning to BNP-nominated candidate Sarwar Jamal Nizam of Chattogram-13 (Anwara-Karnafuli) constituency over his remarks urging that extortion be halted until 12 February.
The warning was conveyed in a letter sent by the Election Commission on Saturday (7 February), though the matter became public on Sunday (8 February).
Earlier on 6 February, Sarwar had appealed to the public to refrain from extortion activities until 12 February, the day of the national polls.
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"I would request those who are involved in extortion, please refrain from extortion until the 12th," he said while inaugurating an election office in the Chatari area of Anwara upazila.
A 55-second video of his remarks has since spread on social media, sparking widespread discussion online.
Copies of the EC letter, signed by Mohammad Didar Hossain, Deputy Secretary of the EC's Legal Division, were also sent to the relevant offices.
According to the letter, certain campaign-related activities on social media during the pre-election period, when the electoral code of conduct is in force, came to the notice of the Electoral Inquiry and Adjudication Committee and may conflict with provisions of the code applicable to political parties and candidates.
The letter warned that repeated violations of the electoral code of conduct could lead to legal action under relevant provisions of the Representation of the People Order, 1972, including fines or even cancellation of candidature.
The Election Commission said all concerned, including the candidate, had been instructed to strictly comply with the code of conduct to ensure a free, fair, and neutral election.
