The New Nation - Internet Edition

Barisal Correspondent

On the first day of the scrutiny of the thirty nomination papers submitted for Barisal-2, 5 and 6 constituencies have been completed in two sessions in presence of the candidates or their representatives before the district returning officer and deputy commissioner of Barisal district on Wednesday.

Mushfiq Ahmed Shamim, district returning officer and deputy commissioner of Barisal district, after hearing the objections and replies said that final decision about these objection would be given on Thursday.

During the scrutiny of the 9 candidates for Barisal-6 (Bakerganj upazila) constituency, Maj Gen (Retd) Hafiz Mallik, AL leader and nominee of grand alliance raised objection against his rival A B M Ruhul Amin Howladar, secretary general of Jatiya Party (Ershad).

Gen Mallik alleged that Ruhul Amin submitted false and contradictory facts and concealed truths about his educational qualifications, assets and property and so his nomination paper could not be valid.

Ruhul Amin claimed himself as a master degree holder without submitting any document about his educational qualifications the AL nominee alleged.

Besides Ruhul Amin submitted one nomination paper on November 20 in 2008 with facts of possessing only 30 decimal landed property and two firearms without mentioning any descriptions about the criminal cases lodged against him.

However the same candidate submitted another nomination paper on November 30 claiming that his educational certificates were destroyed by fire, he possesses 2.90 acres of land, 5 fire-arms and acquitted from 7 out of 8 criminal cases.

Nomination papers of Principal Abdur Rashid Khan, central leader of Bikolpadhara and nominee of Jukto Front for Barisal-6 faced objection as a loan defaulter, while nomination paper of Md Nasiruddin was found faulty.

On other hand Col Zahid Faruk Shamim, the AL nominated grand alliance candidate and one of the 11 contestants for Barisal-5 (city and sadar upazila), raised objection against his rival Advocate Mojibor Rahman Sarwar, district BNP president, four-party nominated candidate and former Mayor of Barisal City Corporation.

Col Faruk alleged that as Sarwar performed duties of Mayor, an office of profit, he could not contest in elections within three years from the end of his tenure as Mayor as per election rule.

Sarwar also accused in 13 criminal cases and acquitted from charges in 6 cases, trial of four cases postponed and enjoying bail in other 3 cases, concealed facts about these cases, the rival alleged.

Objections of loan defalcation against Mahbubuddin Bir Bikram, AL leader and rebel candidate for Barisal-5 and Shahidul Huq Jamal, former BNP whip and rebel candidate for Barisal-2 have also been raised.