Three parliamentary candidates from the Rajshahi-5 (Puthia-Durgapur) constituency have been summoned to court for allegedly violating electoral conduct rules by posting festoons on electric poles and trees. The summons were issued by Senior Civil Judge Md. Mamun on behalf of the constituency’s Election Inquiry and Judicial Committee on Sunday and Monday. The candidates—independent and expelled BNP leaders Isfa Khairul Haque Shimul and Barrister Rezaul Karim, along with Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Maulana Manjur Rahman—were instructed to appear in person and submit written explanations.

According to the notice, the committee’s field inspection found that the candidates had displayed festoons in prohibited public areas for campaign purposes, which constitutes a clear breach of the electoral code of conduct. The committee initiated an inquiry on its own under the prescribed rules.

The notice further stated that since the incident is considered a pre-election irregularity, the candidates must explain why a report should not be sent to the Election Commission recommending legal and punitive action against them.