Chittagong city BNP president Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury yesterday reiterated his call to remove Zahirul Alam Dobhash as acting mayor to ensure free and fair mayoral elections.
Zahirul Alam, being an Awami League leader and candidate for the post of councillor in the upcoming Chittagong City Corporation (CCC) elections, would surely have undue influence on the elections, Khasru said at a press conference at his Mehedibag residence.
Those holding the constitutional posts at the Election Commission should quit if they cannot understand this simple matter, said Amir Khasru, also the chief election agent of BNP-backed mayoral candidate Mohammad Manjur Alam.
He questioned when Mayor ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury has to resign for joining the mayoral race, how another person being a councillor candidate in the same election could take over as an acting mayor.
Khasru also called for bringing changes to the electoral law, if there are any loopholes, to ensure a free and fair CCC election.
He also alleged that some of the personal officers of immediate past mayor Mohiuddin were still enjoying facilities from CCC.
Besides, 1400 metric tons of food grains were allocated to four AL lawmakers and 400 metric tons to two women lawmakers in reserved seats under CCC area for six TR (test relief) projects after te announcement of election schedule in violation of electoral rules, he alleged.
Former whip Syed Wahidul Alam, former lawmaker Roji Kabir, Chittagong city BNP vice-presidents Dostagir Chowdhury, Abu Sufian and Shamsul Alam and General Secretary Shahadat Hossain were present at the press conference.