Heated Exchange Between Mintoo and Hasnat at EC

During a hearing at the Election Commission (EC) concerning dual citizenship today, Saturday 17 January, tensions flared between Feni-3 BNP candidate and prominent businessman Abdul Awal Mintoo and Comilla-4 NCP candidate Abul Hasnat Abdullah. The incident briefly disrupted proceedings and raised concerns over decorum in the commission’s premises.

The confrontation occurred while the commission was hearing an appeal against the validity of Afroza Khanum’s nomination for Manikganj-3, representing the Dhanshish symbol. After lawyers presented their arguments, the EC temporarily adjourned the hearing for half an hour. It was during this interval that a verbal exchange escalated between the candidates.

Mintoo reportedly expressed his frustration towards opposition members, which drew objections from Hasnat Abdullah, who was present in the auditorium for another hearing. Their disagreement quickly escalated into a heated verbal confrontation.

At one point, Mintoo’s son, Tabith Awal, intervened and escorted his father out of the commission premises. Law enforcement personnel then stepped in to restore order.

When the hearing resumed, Hasnat Abdullah formally lodged a complaint with the EC, claiming that Mintoo had used offensive language, including calling him a “bloody citizen,” and had attempted to use physical force. Hasnat requested an official ruling from the commission regarding the matter.

Later, speaking to reporters, Hasnat Abdullah elaborated on his concerns:

He criticised candidates who display elitism publicly while seeking votes privately, calling such behaviour unacceptable.

He accused Mintoo of collaborating with elites allegedly involved in offshore fund transfers to protect personal business interests.

He highlighted broader concerns about candidate conduct, referencing instances where individuals have been subjected to violence in front of the EC.

Hasnat further questioned the commission’s ability to ensure the safety of all candidates, noting that the EC appeared to treat the incident as isolated. He drew a parallel with past experiences at Dhaka University, where complaints of mistreatment required formal written submissions, suggesting that the EC’s current response resembled those procedural shortcomings.

Summary of the Incident:

The episode underscores ongoing tensions in Bangladesh’s political arena, highlighting the challenges of maintaining civility during high-stakes nomination hearings. Election officials have indicated that enhanced security measures will be deployed in future hearings to prevent similar incidents.