Noted personalities including university teachers and the doyens in cultural field yesterday took an oath to continue non-stop movement until Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) MA Aziz and other election commissioners are removed from their office.

National Professor Kabir Chowdhury conducted the swearing-in at a rally at the Central Shaheed Minar in the city. Several hundred people from all occupations took part in the oath taking.

Sammilita Sangskritik Jote, a platform of cultural organisations, organised the rally. A number of cultural, professional organisations and individuals joined the

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rally to express solidarity with the campaign.

Before the swearing-in ceremony, Kabir Chowdhury said the country is now facing a tough time and a conspiracy against the country's democracyis being hatched.

He invited all to forge and launch a greater movement in realising the demands.

Referring to the President and Chief Adviser to the Caretaker Government Prof Iajuddin Ahmed's remarks on Thursday, speakers at the rally said it is alarming that the head of the state has begun to lie. They said the CEC is lying and the BNP-Jamaat-led coalition government lied during last five years.

Prof AAMS Arefin Siddique, former president of Dhaka University Teachers' Association (Duta), said the president's remark that the present form of government has become a "presidential form of government" is unconstitutional and this may lead the country to serious consequences.

He urged the chief adviser to help create a favourable atmosphere to hold a free and fair election through implementing 14-party's 11-point demand that includes removal of the CEC and other election commissioners.

Poet Syed Shamsul Haque, AL leader Asaduzzaman Noor, Ramendu Majumdar, poet Mohammad Asad, economist Atiar Rahman, Joybangla Sangskritik Oikya Jote President Salauddin Badal were also present.

Sammilita Sangskritik Jote President Nasiruddin Yusuf Bachhu presided over the rally and General Secretary Golam Quddus conducted the rally.

Other political and professional organisations condemned the president's speech and demanded immediate removal of the CEC and other election commissioners.

The organisations are Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal, Juktofront, Bangladesh Minority Sangram Parishad, Jatiya Garments Sramik Federation, Bangladesh Medical Association and Amra Muktijoddhar Santan.