EC summons Hafiz MP for voting openly

The Election Commission (EC) on Monday summoned Abdul Hafiz Mallik, MP, from Barisal-6, to why he voted openly in the May 8 Upazila Chairman Election.

EC Deputy Secretary Atiyar Rahman in a letter asked Mallik of ruling Awmi League to explain why he voted openly at  Mangalsi Government Primary School polling centre in Bariisal.

Reports with pictures were published in print and electronic media that the MP voted openly became viral.  
Failure to maintain the secrecy of voting or voting publicly is an electoral offence punishable under Rule 78 of the Upazila Parishad Election Rules 2013.

The EC directed Hbdul Hafiz Mallik to appear at Room No. 314 of  Election Secretariat in the capital at 12 noon on May 15, to explain why a letter will not be sent to the Speaker to file a case against him and take systematic action due to this offence.