Serious allegations of violating election rules have surfaced ahead of the 2026 election of the Puraton Loha O Motor Byaboshayi Malik Samity (Old Scrap Metal and Motor Traders Owners Association) in Bokchar, Jashore. A candidate contesting for the position of Treasurer has formally accused a member of the Election Management Committee of engaging in partisan activities and nepotism.
According to sources, Treasurer candidate Md. Farhad Hossain (Membership No. 43) submitted a written complaint to the Chairman of the Election Management Committee on May 9, 2026.
In his complaint, Farhad Hossain alleged that Election Management Committee member Md. Mortaza Hossain, Secretary (Membership No. 227), openly violated the election code of conduct. He claimed that Mortaza Hossain has been actively campaigning in favor of his younger brother, Md. Rabiul Islam Chottu, who is also a candidate in the same election, by requesting votes from voters through mobile communications.
Farhad further stated that despite being a candidate himself, the committee member directly approached him and requested support for his brother. He claimed to possess screenshots and other documentary evidence supporting the allegation.
Expressing his frustration, Farhad Hossain said, “Rabiul Islam Chottu is a small grocery shop owner and is not directly involved in the vehicle dismantling business. His shop is known as Madina Varieties Store. However, he is primarily recognized through his brother, Mortaza Hossain (Membership No. 227), who is serving as Secretary. When a responsible election official openly seeks votes for his own brother, it naturally gives that candidate an unfair advantage.”
He further alleged that the election symbol assigned to labor leader Mortaza Hossain is a football, and the same football symbol has effectively been promoted in favor of his brother, Rabiul Islam Chottu. “The Treasurer candidates have separate symbols such as Lock, Table Fan, Wardrobe, Key, and Table Clock. There is no football symbol in our category. We are contesting a straightforward election, not conducting any engineering exercise,” he remarked.
In the written complaint, Farhad argued that if an individual serving in a sensitive and responsible position within the Election Management Committee actively campaigns for a specific candidate, it raises serious concerns regarding the fairness, neutrality, and credibility of the upcoming election.
Questioning the role of the Election Commission, the candidate also stated that after receiving the written complaint, the Commission Chairman should have relieved the accused member of his responsibilities and appointed a replacement. However, according to Farhad, the Commission declined to do so, citing concerns that replacing a committee member at this stage could delay the election process.
In light of the situation, Farhad Hossain has strongly urged the Chairman of the Election Management Committee to take appropriate disciplinary action against Md. Mortaza Hossain in accordance with the association’s constitution and election regulations. Screenshots allegedly showing vote solicitation from various voters have also been attached to the complaint as supporting evidence.
Attention now turns to what action, if any, the Election Management Committee will take regarding the allegations and whether the election process will ultimately be perceived as free, fair, and impartial.
