Independent candidate for Brahmanbaria-2, Barrister Rumeen Farhana, was involved in a heated exchange with an executive magistrate today during a meeting in Noagaon union under Sarail upazila.
The candidate was asked to step down from the stage over alleged violations of the electoral code of conduct, prompting a heated exchange that was later shared widely on social media.
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When Rumeen Farhana arrived, Executive Magistrate Shahriya Hasan Khan of the district administration was already present and reportedly observed potential code violations. The magistrate instructed the candidate to end her speech and leave the stage while directing police to detain a young man holding a microphone.
A video of the incident obtained by The Daily Star shows Rumeen Farhana confronting the magistrate, saying, “Excuse me sir… this is the last time I’m warning you. I will not listen to this.” In the clip, the magistrate is heard warning that action would be taken if the code of conduct was breached. Some bystanders claimed that rival candidates had allegedly made aggressive gestures, to which Rumeen Farhana responded, “This is how they show it to you. You sit in the administration — go and check.”
She later addressed the audience, saying, “I listened today. I raised my finger and made it clear that I won’t listen again. If I don’t say so, you won’t be able to leave from here. Remember that. I am Rumeen Farhana — I don’t need any party.”
Earlier, a mobile court fined one of Rumeen Farhana’s supporters, Md Jewel, Tk 40,000 for violating the electoral code of conduct.
Executive Magistrate Shahriya Hasan Khan told The Daily Star, “A gathering was being held in violation of the electoral code. We stopped it in accordance with the rules and later fined the organiser. While leaving the venue, the candidate behaved discourteously with me.”
Sarail Upazila Nirbahi Officer and Assistant Returning Officer Abubakar Sarkar said the fine was imposed under Section 18 of the electoral code through a mobile court.
Commenting on the incident, Rumeen Farhana said she expected neutrality from the administration and police during the election and urged them not to act in favour of any party.
