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Two mayoral candidates have been validated for the 2024 Patuakhali municipal elections despite loan defaults. On the last day of nomination submission, 6 candidates applied for mayor, 43 for councilor, and 15 for the women's reserved seat. District Returning Officer Khan Abi Shahnoor Khan invalidated nominations of 2 mayoral and 2 councilor candidates after verification last Thursday.
Earlier, on February 13, Senior Election Officer Khan Abi Shahanur Khan sent a letter to Bangladesh Bank regarding candidates' loan status. Bangladesh Bank replied on February 14, stating only one councilor candidate had debts. However, allegations surfaced that incumbent mayor Mohiuddin Ahmed and his brother Abul Kalam Azad concealed a Tk 245 million loan from Padma Bank. The bank allegedly hid their defaults, hindering proper action by the Election Commission.
The branch manager of Padma Bank Patuakhali branch faced accusations of issuing fake pay-orders and bank guarantees. District Returning Officer Md. Noor Qutubul Alam upheld the defaulting candidates' nominations, leading to outrage. Another candidate, Dr. Shafiqul Islam, vowed to challenge this decision in the high court.
Allegations emerged that Abul Kalam Azad took a loan in 2014 from Padma Bank Patuakhali branch, which he and Mohiuddin Ahmed concealed. Despite repaying the loan on February 18, the bank claimed the debt remained. Section 19(2) of the Local Government Municipal Elections Act-2009 dictates disqualification if a candidate has overdue loans during nomination.
Dr. Shafiqul Islam appealed on February 20, arguing the District Returning Officer favored defaulters, contrary to the Municipal Election Act. Criticism ensued, with lawyers condemning the decision.
On November 28, 2023, the Ministry of Finance's Financial Institutions Department notified the Election Commission to seek information on defaulters. However, Padma Bank Patuakhali branch allegedly withheld borrower information from Bangladesh Bank.
In summary, despite loan defaults, two mayoral candidates proceed with the elections amid controversy over alleged concealment of debts and lapses in enforcing electoral laws.
Messenger/Faria
