An altercation took place between an independent candidate and an executive magistrate in the Brahmanbaria-2 constituency after authorities attempted to stop a courtyard meeting, citing violations of the electoral code of conduct.

The incident occurred on Saturday afternoon in Islamabad (Gugd) village under Noagaon Union of Sarail upazila. Independent candidate Rumin Farhana became involved in a heated exchange with Executive Magistrate and Assistant Commissioner (Land) Shahriyar Hasan Khan, who arrived at the gathering accompanied by police officers while she was addressing local residents.

According to local administration officials and eyewitnesses, the argument broke out beside the meeting venue after the magistrate intervened. A video of the confrontation later circulated on Facebook.

In the video, Rumin Farhana is heard telling the magistrate that he could stop the event if he wished, warning that she would not remain polite in the future. At one point, gestures and remarks involving a raised thumb were exchanged, escalating tensions further. She is also heard saying, “This is the last time—I am warning you,” while the magistrate responded that officials are obligated to intervene whenever the code of conduct is violated.

Supporters of the candidate were heard shouting in agreement during the exchange.

Following the incident, Rumin Farhana was fined Tk 40,000 for breaching election rules. The fine was paid by one of her supporters, identified as Jewel Mia.

Earlier, on January 13, Rumin Farhana had submitted a written complaint to the district administration and returning officer, accusing Ashuganj upazila BNP General Secretary Habibur Rahman and Upazila Jubo Dal convener Alamgir Khan of violating campaign rules. The following day, Habibur Rahman publicly dismissed the allegation during a rally using a symbolic gesture that later became a point of controversy.

Speaking to the media, Rumin Farhana alleged selective enforcement of election laws. She claimed that rival alliance candidates regularly organize stage-based rallies using sound systems without facing consequences, while her own meetings are repeatedly disrupted despite using only a handheld microphone and no stage. She said she has been fined multiple times—Tk 10,000 earlier and Tk 40,000 most recently—while no action is taken against her opponents.

Sarail Upazila Nirbahi Officer and Assistant Returning Officer Abu Bakar Sarkar said the fine was imposed solely for violating the code of conduct. “The law applies equally to everyone,” he said, adding that any grievances can be formally submitted for review.

Rumin Farhana, a former reserved-seat lawmaker and former assistant international affairs secretary of the BNP, had been actively campaigning for the Brahmanbaria-2 seat. However, the BNP-led alliance nominated Maulana Junayed Al Habib, a senior leader of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Bangladesh, as its candidate for the constituency.

After being denied party nomination, Rumin Farhana chose to contest the election as an independent candidate. She was subsequently expelled from the BNP on December 30 for defying the party’s decision.