11-party alliance demands withdrawal and departmental action against Sadar UNO over Thakurgaon-1
The Jamaat-e-Islami-led 11-party alliance has demanded the withdrawal of the Thakurgaon Sadar upazila nirbahi officer (UNO) and departmental action against him over allegations of bias surrounding the Thakurgaon-1 election.
Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami assistant secretary general and spokesperson of the 11-party unity Dr Hamidur Rahman Azad said the Sadar UNO must be withdrawn and departmental action taken against him over bias surrounding the Thakurgaon-1 election, because he has already lost his neutrality.
He made the remarks while briefing journalists on Wednesday (28 October) afternoon after a courtesy meeting with the chief election commissioner at the Election Commission office in Agargaon, Dhaka.
Hamidur Rahman Azad alleged that voters there are being harassed in various ways. Law enforcement agencies are also working in favour of a particular group, he alleged. He alleged in particular that BNP supporters have attacked various Hindu-majority areas.
He said the Thakurgaon-1 by-election and the upcoming local government elections were discussed in the meeting with the Election Commission. Various irregularities of the 12 February election also came up in the discussion.
He said no remedy has been found even after lodging a complaint with the Election Commission on 25 October. He said the Election Commission told them it has taken some steps, and the UNO has not been given any election-related duty. Even so, they fear he can exert undue influence if he stays there, so he must be withdrawn, he said.
In reply to journalists' questions, he said if the Election Commission cannot stiffen its spine, a situation like in the past will be created. They want the commission to perform its duty properly. He said the EC is gradually trying to stand with a stiff spine, but its pace must increase further.
Also present were Bangladesh Labour Party chairman Dr Mostafizur Rahman Iran, National Citizen Party (NCP) senior joint convener Nasiruddin Patwary and Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon secretary general Mufti Fakhrul Islam.
