Dhaka, Jan 2 (UNB) – The number of show-cause notices issued against candidates for alleged violations of the electoral code of conduct ahead of the 12th parliamentary election has crossed the 500-mark.

Of the contenders, the commission on Wednesday even cancelled the candidacy of independent contestant Mohammad Habibur Rahman Paban who was running in Laxmipur-1 on ground of violating the electoral code and committing electoral offense.

As of Wednesday, the Election Commission served a total of 480 show cause notices to the candidates for breaching the code of conduct, said an EC official.

Among them, some contenders received more than one show cause notices for repeated violation of the code.

Out of 480 incidents of breaching the electoral code, the commission has received inquiry reports of 304 incidents and taken actions regarding 101 incidents throughout the country.

According to the EC’s data, the highest 119 show-cause notices have been issued against the candidates in Dhaka division, followed by 74 notices in Rajshahi division, 68 in Cumilla region, 49 in Mymensingh region, 40 in Khulna region, 38 in Chattogram region, 29 in Rangpur region, 27 in Barishal region, 20 in Faridpur region and 16 in Sylhet region.

The candidature of Habibur Rahman Paban, also Jubo League presidium member, was scrapped for threatening deputy commissioner and superintendent of police.

Paban made a phone call to the Deputy Commissioner of and Returning Officer through WhatsApp at 7:30 pm on December 30 and made inaudible, objectionable and indecent statements.