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CCC POLLS

CMP chief removed as EC finds him guilty

Govt appoints Moniruzzaman as acting commissioner

STAFF CORRESPONDENT
The Election Commission (EC) yesterday ordered the home ministry to immediately withdraw the Chittagong Metropolitan Police (CMP) commissioner on his failure to discharge his duties neutrally in the run-up to the May 9 Chittagong City Corporation (CCC) elections.
It also directed the home secretary to immediately take action against him and replace him with a suitable person for holding the polls in a free, fair manner.
The home ministry, on receiving a copy of the order, promptly removed CMP Commissioner M Amzad Hossain and attached him to the Police Headquarters. It also made Additional Commissioner Mohammed Moniruzzaman as Acting CMP Commissioner.
Sources close to the CMP, however, said Amzad was going around saying that he would be reinstated in his position once the election is over.
The EC order came in the wake of allegations by the main opposition Awami League-backed Chittagong Nagorik Committee that the CMP commissioner was harassing its workers and favouring the ruling alliance candidate.
The Nagorik Committee is backing incumbent Chittagong City Mayor ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury for a second term in office.
The CMP commissioner, after declaration of the polls schedule, made a number of arrest which apparently amounted to harassment and intimidation, said the EC, a quasi-judicial body, in its judgement.
On the performance of the CMP commissioner in the CCC polls, the EC said, "CMP Commissioner M Amzad Hossain has failed to perform his duties impartially and his action is not [conducive to] creating an environment which is necessary for free and fair election."
The EC also observed that the CMP commissioner violated the electoral code of conduct by escorting and providing the state minister for civil aviation and tourism, who is also a mayoral candidate, with police protection after the election schedule was announced.
The Nagorik Committee filed a complaint with the EC on April 17 and mayoral candidate Mohiuddin himself lodged another against the CMP top officials.
They alleged that the CMP commissioner instructed some plainclothesmen to pick up Nagorik Committee Secretary Mahbubul Haque from Majhirghat office on April 21 although there was no case or warrant against him. As the local people opposed the action, the police opened fire resulting in the death of two people".
They also alleged that six leading workers of the Nagorik Committee were arrested without any charges after the declaration of the polls schedule. Besides, the CMP commissioner "was seen participating in the election campaign" with ruling alliance candidate Mir Mohammad Nasir Uddin.
The Nagorik Committee leaders maintain that free and fair election is not possible until the CMP stops harassing their workers.
The EC summoned the CMP commissioner and a CMP assistant commissioner to answer the allegations and heard both sides on April 30. The CMP commissioner, during hearing, denied all allegations.
The full commission headed by Chief Election Commissioner MA Syed yesterday reviewed all documents for over three hours and delivered the judgement.
After the judgement, Election Commissioner AK Mohammad Ali told journalists that they had unanimously taken the decision after reviewing all relevant documents submitted by the parties.
On the basis of the evidence and records and circumstances, it has been proved that the CMP commissioner has violated the electoral code of conduct and failed to act impartially, said the EC.
The EC, however, did not say anything about Assistant CMP Commissioner, Detective Branch, Gazi Jasim Uddin.
The EC secretariat yesterday sent the EC order to the home ministry. In accordance with the constitutional provision, all the executives are to assist the EC in discharging its duties.
EC RULING HAILED
The Nagorik Committee leaders yesterday hailed the EC directive for withdrawal of Amzad Hossain from the post of CMP Commissioner.
The leaders at a press conference said the decision substantiates the allegation that Nagorik Committee candidate Mohiuddin Chowdhury had made against the CMP commissioner.
However, they expressed discontent over 'the exemption of Assistant Commissioner (AC) Gazi Jasim Uddin from the charge'. Mohiuddin, also general secretary of Chittagong City Awami League, congratulated the EC on its taking the decision.