The Returning Officer of Brahmanbaria has issued a show-cause notice to Barrister Rumeen Farhana, an independent candidate for the Brahmanbaria-2 constituency, over allegations of violating the electoral code of conduct.
The notice, signed by Brahmanbaria Deputy Commissioner and Returning Officer (RO) Sharmin Akhter Jahan, was issued last night, asking Rumeen Farhana to appear before the RO’s office by 11:00am on January 22 to explain her confrontation with the magistrate on Saturday.
The notice warns that legal action may be taken if she skips the appearance.
According to the notice, on Saturday between approximately 4:00pm and 5:00pm, Rumeen Farhana held an election rally at Islampur in Noagaon union of Sarail upazila in the presence of around 400 to 500 people. She allegedly set up a large stage and delivered political speeches using microphones, in violation of the Political Parties and Candidates Code of Conduct 2025.
The notice further said that when the executive magistrate conducting a mobile court ordered the immediate suspension of the gathering, Rumeen Farhana behaved in an “arrogant” and “discourteous” manner and issued various threats.
At one point, Rumeen made an offensive gesture showing her thumb saying that this was what her opponents showed them and they (election officials) did nothing, and made threatening remarks.
It also alleged that her supporters displayed aggressive behaviour, formed a mob, and obstructed the discharge of judicial duties—acts which the notice said constitute a clear violation of the electoral code of conduct.
The incident later spread across social media as well as electronic and print media, triggering negative public reaction, the notice added.
Earlier, Assistant Returning Officer and Sarail Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Abubakar Sarker submitted a separate letter, accusing Rumeen Farhana of creating a mob. The letter was sent to the Election Inquiry and Judicial Committee and Senior Civil Judge Ashraful Islam, seeking legal action.
Notably, the rally at Islamabad was shut down by a mobile court on the same day. During the operation, Executive Magistrate Shahriya Hasan Khan fined her supporter named Jewel Mia Tk 40,000.
Following the incident, Rumeen Farhana accused the administration of obstructing her election campaign and expressed anger at the executive magistrate—remarks that later drew widespread criticism after videos of the incident circulated on social media.
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.
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.”
