Rival candidate claimed that he went to bribe the election officer to stand for his uncle in the RCC election
Police detained Metropolitan Awami League's Organizing Secretary Mir Ishtiaq Ahmed Limon from the election officer's house in Rajshahi.
At about 12am on Monday, police went and took the Awami League leader Limon out of the election officer's house to the police station.
On hearing the news, the people of the rival candidate surrounded the house and protested. They claimed that Limon entered the election officer's house with a large sum of money.
However, police had not mentioned about recovering any money from Limon's possession.
Police and witnesses said that around 10:30pm, Awami League leader Mir Istiaq Ahmed Limon went to bribe election officer Abul Hossain to stand for his uncle councillor candidate of Ward No 22 in the Rajshahi City Corporation election Abdul Hamid Sarkar Tekon.
Local people held Limon on the information that he had entered the election officer's house with a bag of money.
On information, the leaders and activists of Awami League joined with the local residents and took a stand. Then the police and administration people also went there.
On hearing the news, Limon's father Mir Iqbal, the chairman of the zilla parishad, and his family members and supporters were in a frenzy. At one point, when the scuffle started, police went and controlled the situation.
Rajshahi College Chhatra League President Rasik Datta said: “At around 10:30pm, Metropolitan Awami League Organizing Secretary Mir Ishtiaq Ahmed Limon and another stranger entered the election officer's house with a bag. When the locals came to know and surrounded the house, the stranger managed to leave with the bag while Limon was held back.”
However, Election Officer Abul Hossain denied receiving any money. He claimed: “Limon came to inquire about the election. There was no money transaction with him.”
Regional Election Officer and Returning Officer Delwar Hossain could not be reached for comments.
Boalia police station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Suhrawardy Hossain said: “Awami League leader Limon was detained from the house of Rajshahi District Election Officer Abul Hossain and taken into police custody. The reason why he went to the election official's house is yet to be ascertained.”