The Returning Officer of Brahmanbaria has served a show-cause notice on Rumeen Farhana, an independent candidate for the Brahmanbaria-2 constituency (Sarail, Ashuganj, and parts of Bijoynagar), for allegedly violating the election code of conduct.
The notice, signed by Brahmanbaria Deputy Commissioner and Returning Officer Sharmin Akhter Jahan, was issued late Sunday.
The notice directed Farhana to appear in person at the RO’s office by 11 AM on 22 January to explain her reported aggressive behavior toward an executive magistrate during a rally on Saturday.
The notice cautions that legal action could follow if she fails to comply.
According to the notice, Rumeen Farhana held a public rally in Islamabad village of Noagaon union, Sarail upazila, attended by approximately 400 to 500 people.
She allegedly set up a large stage and delivered political speeches using microphones, in breach of the election code.
When the executive magistrate conducting a mobile court ordered the rally to be stopped immediately, Rumeen reportedly displayed arrogance and discourteous behavior, including threatening the official.
At one point, she is said to have made an offensive gesture showing her thumb, claiming it mirrored what her opponents had done and went unpunished. The mobile court that intervened on the same day also fined one of Farhana’s associates, Jewel Mia, Tk 40,000.
The notice also accused her supporters of aggressive behavior, forming a mob, and obstructing the magistrate from carrying out official duties, actions considered clear violations of the election code. A video of Farhana’s alleged conduct circulated widely on social media was also included in the notice.
Prior to the notice, Assistant Returning Officer and Sarail Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Abubakar Sarker submitted a separate letter accusing Farhana of inciting a mob. The letter was forwarded to the Election Inquiry and Judicial Committee and Senior Civil Judge Ashraful Islam, urging appropriate legal measures.
Election officials emphasised that the notice demonstrates strict enforcement of the election code of conduct ahead of polling in Brahmanbaria-2, underscoring the authorities’ commitment to maintaining order and fairness during the campaign period.
NSA
