Newly-appointed Minister Faridul Haque showcaused

Newly-appointed Minister Faridul Haque Khan, elected from Jamalpur-2 seat, has been served show cause notice for openly casting his ballot.

The Election Commission issued the notice on Thursday, asking him to explain his action to the commission on January 15.

Faridul Haque had been serving as a state minister of religious affairs after assuming office in 2020.

He was recently promoted to a minister in the latest cabinet led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Openly casting a ballot is an offense under section-83 of the Representation of the People Order (RPO).

The section says that if any candidate attending a polling station fails to maintain or aid in maintaining the secrecy of voting then they may be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years and shall not be less than one year.