Ahead of the 13th National Parliament Election and Referendum-2026 to be held on February 12, there have been allegations of tearing of election banners and festoons of independent candidate Ashraful Alam Shimul of Gopalganj-1 constituency. The incident took place in different areas of Nanikshir and Kashalia unions of Muksudpur upazila of Gopalganj late on Monday (January 26).

A written complaint has been filed on behalf of imprisoned independent candidate Ashraful Alam Shimul with the Assistant Returning Officer and Muksudpur Upazila Nirbahi Officer in this regard.

In this regard, Khairul Alam Sayad, son of independent candidate Ashraful Alam Shimul, said, “My father is currently in jail in a political false case. I am his only son and will appear in the SSC exam this year. In my father’s absence, I am campaigning for him.

Seeing our public outcry, miscreants tore down banners and festoons hung in Kashalia Road of Kashalia Union and Maheshtali area of ​​Nanikshir Union late at night. This is nothing but political vendetta.

” He added, “Such despicable acts are against the election code of conduct. I strongly condemn this incident and seek the intervention of the administration.” Locals, who asked not to be named, said that banners and festoons had been hung in those areas the previous day. When they went in the morning, they found them torn down.

A local resident, who did not want to be named, said, “No matter who does it, it is not right. Election campaigning is the fundamental right of all candidates. No one can be removed from the minds of the people by doing this.”

In this regard, Assistant Returning Officer and Muksudpur Upazila Executive Officer Mahmud Ashiq Kabir said that a complaint has been made to us on behalf of independent candidate Ashraful Alam Shimul.

The district and sessions judge have formed an inquiry committee to investigate these complaints. We will send it to the inquiry committee.

In addition, we have advised the election coordinator of the independent candidate to file a complaint directly with the inquiry committee. No one saw who did this in the dark of night. So it can be known after the investigation. We are calling on everyone to refrain from such acts in the interest of a fair environment for the election.