In Brahmanbaria, independent parliamentary candidate Barrister Rumin Farhana has formally lodged allegations against Md. Habibur Rahman, General Secretary of the Ashuganj Upazila BNP, and Alamgir Khan, Convener of the Upazila Jubo Dal, accusing them of violating the Election Code of Conduct. The allegations pertain to offensive remarks made during recent political events and have been submitted to the District Returning Officer.
On Tuesday, 13 January, Rumin Farhana submitted three separate complaints, each outlining instances of alleged defamatory and abusive statements. To substantiate her claims, she attached links to videos published on Facebook where the two leaders reportedly made the remarks.
According to the complaint, Alamgir Khan allegedly addressed a gathering at Sharifpur village on 11 January during a Milad Mahfil commemorating the late Begum Khaleda Zia. Farhana claims Khan made abusive comments about her personally, stating:
“Rumin Farhana and Momtaz are no different.”
Additional statements were reportedly vulgar and defamatory, intended to malign her reputation among voters.
At the same event, Farhana alleges, Habibur Rahman commented derogatorily on her attire, while in another public meeting on 4 January, Rahman reportedly said:
“Rumin Farhana has become like tissue paper. Tissue paper is of no use.”
Rumin Farhana contends that such statements have provoked anger among her supporters and could compromise the fairness of the electoral process. In her complaint, she emphasised that the remarks constitute violations of the Election Code of Conduct, potentially disrupting a free, fair, and impartial election.
Summary of Alleged Violations
| Date | Leader | Event Location | Alleged Remarks / Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 Jan | Md. Habibur Rahman | Unspecified Event | Compared Rumin Farhana to “tissue paper,” deemed derogatory |
| 11 Jan | Alamgir Khan | Sharifpur Village | Stated “Rumin Farhana and Momtaz are no different”; other offensive remarks |
| 11 Jan | Md. Habibur Rahman | Sharifpur Village | Made inappropriate comments regarding Farhana’s clothing |
The complaints highlight the potential impact on voter sentiment and underscore the importance of upholding electoral norms. Election officials are expected to review the submissions and take appropriate measures in line with the law to ensure the integrity of the upcoming vote.
Farhana’s move represents a proactive attempt to hold political opponents accountable, reflecting the heightened scrutiny and tensions in the run-up to the parliamentary elections in Brahmanbaria-2 (covering Sadar, Ashuganj, and Bijoynagar union areas).