An executive magistrate was withdrawn yesterday after the chief election agent of BNP-backed mayoral candidate brought allegation against him of favouring the Awami League-backed candidate ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury.
“I have just received a fax message from the Election Commission (EC) Secretariat, requesting me to withdraw magistrate Salehin Tanvir Gazi and I have withdrawn him accordingly,” Chittagong Deputy Commissioner Faiz Ahmed told The Daily Star at 6:00pm.
Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, the chief election agent of M Manjur Alam, lodged the complaint with the EC, alleging that executive magistrate Salehin Tanvir Gazi is the son of an AL-loyal Chittagong University teacher and there is clear indication of favouring Mohiuddin in his activities.
Khasru also brought allegation against officer-in-charge of Khulshi Police Station Iftekhar Hasan for favouring Mohiuddin and demanded withdrawal of both the magistrate and the OC.
However, no decision had been taken against the OC till yesterday.
The allegations came after the magistrate fined a woman activist of BNP Tk 50,000 on charge of distributing bulletin containing news items against Mohiuddin on Monday.
Khasru alleged that the OC picked up the activist from her residence and then the magistrate issued the fine to her.
Salehin was involved with Bangladesh Chhatra League unit of CU, Khasru said.
Contacted, Prof Gazi Saleh Uddin of Sociology Department of CU ruled out the allegation against his son saying that his son is performing his election duties sincerely and impartially.
He also said that his son was never involved with BCL.
About his involvement with AL, Prof Saleh Uddin said, “What I'm doing is my personal matter.”
JAMAAT MAN REMOVED
Meanwhile, Sitakunda upazila unit Jamaat-e-Islami ameer Shafiqul Moula, who was earlier appointed as assistant presiding officer, was removed from the charge yesterday.
Returning Officer (RO) relieved Shafiqul of the charge, a day after Nagorik Committee lodged a complaint against him with the RO.
Contacted, Shafiqul admitted his involvement with Jamaat saying that he contested the national elections with Jamaat ticket in 1991 and 1996.
Nagorik Committee is backing Mohiuddin in the mayoral race.
He was replaced by Matiul Islam, preventive officer of Chittagong Customs House (export), said Assistant Returning Officer Farhad Hossain.