CHITTAGONG: Defeated former city father ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury, who had the ruling party’s full weight thrown behind him, complained of ‘election engineering’ as the results of Thursday’s polls showed Friday his rival colleague Manzur Alam elected Mayor of Chittagong.

The outgoing mayor, Mohiuddin, made the allegation at a press briefing at his Chasma Hill residence—as opposition-fielded Manzur’s men painted the town red in jubilation, after nightlong watch over the makeshift election office amid sporadic flare-ups of anger over delays.

In his reaction, Mohiuddin neither accepted nor rejected the election result.

He also blamed his once-trusted lieutenant, Manzur Alam, for distributing objectionable leaflets and cash bounties among the voters.

“The Election Commission took no action in this regard,” he deplored.

He pointed out that the Election Commission also remained mum after allegation of concealing information in the nomination papers against Manzur had been raised.

The former mayor alleged that BNP-Jamaat “armed cadres” demonstrated, torched and damaged vehicles while the election result was being declared.  

The Election Commission, as such, seemed to be under a double-edged sword as the opposition BNP, the backer of Manzur, also earlier had alleged election engineering while result announcing had been held back.       

Mohiuddin said he would comment as to whether the result would be accepted after the incidents are properly investigated.

He also took a swipe at his party colleagues, alleging that the local Awami League lawmakers did not work for him.

BDST 1540, June 18, 2010
RDG/AHS/EH/SMS/MUA