CCCI polls postponed
Sunday, 5 December 2010
The biennial elections of the Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), one of the largest chambers in the country, has been postponed following gross allegations of fake voters inclusion in the voters list, reports UNB.
Divisional Commissioner of Chittagong has been asked to form a body and subsequently investigate the allegations regarding inclusion of fake voters and other election related irregularities over the next 15 working days.
A letter issued by Director, Trade Organisation and Deputy Secretary M Abul Kalam said the committee would give its opinions or suggestions based on the investigation within the stipulated time.
It also said the elections, which were scheduled to be held on December 7, have been postponed until further announcement under the Trade Organisation Ordinance 1961 for holding the elections in a free and fair manner.
Earlier, five persons including SM Nur Uddin lodged complaints with CCCI Election Board Chairman mentioning the irregularities but the Election Board did not take any step against the allegations and announced election schedule, said a former director of the CCCI.
In the written allegation, they also pointed out that 108 alternative persons were kept on behalf of one voter in the voters' list.
"These were done during the tenure of current CCCI president MA Latif," alleged a CCCI former director.
While talking to UNB over phone former CCCI President Saifuzzaman Chowdhury Jabed admitted the postponement of the elections. "Many things will come out through investigation," he said.
A total of 38 candidates will contest for 18 posts of Directors of the total 24 posts of the CCCI, as six directors have been elected unopposed already.
The candidates are contesting under the two panels - Chamber Parishad and Chattagram Babashayee Parishad.
Incumbent President M A Latif MP is leading Chamber Parishad and the former President Saifuzzaman Chowdhury Javed is leading the Chattagram Babashayee Parishad.
The elected Directors are Omar Faruk, M Jahurul Alam and Absar Hasan Chowdhury from Town Association Group, Syed Jamal Ahmed, Murshed Murad Ibrahim and Arshadul Alam from Trade group.
Among others, 25 are contesting for the post of 12 Directors from Ordinary group and 13 are contesting for the post of 6 directors from the Associate group.
Three directors from trade group and three Directors from Town Association group have been elected unopposed.
Divisional Commissioner of Chittagong has been asked to form a body and subsequently investigate the allegations regarding inclusion of fake voters and other election related irregularities over the next 15 working days.
A letter issued by Director, Trade Organisation and Deputy Secretary M Abul Kalam said the committee would give its opinions or suggestions based on the investigation within the stipulated time.
It also said the elections, which were scheduled to be held on December 7, have been postponed until further announcement under the Trade Organisation Ordinance 1961 for holding the elections in a free and fair manner.
Earlier, five persons including SM Nur Uddin lodged complaints with CCCI Election Board Chairman mentioning the irregularities but the Election Board did not take any step against the allegations and announced election schedule, said a former director of the CCCI.
In the written allegation, they also pointed out that 108 alternative persons were kept on behalf of one voter in the voters' list.
"These were done during the tenure of current CCCI president MA Latif," alleged a CCCI former director.
While talking to UNB over phone former CCCI President Saifuzzaman Chowdhury Jabed admitted the postponement of the elections. "Many things will come out through investigation," he said.
A total of 38 candidates will contest for 18 posts of Directors of the total 24 posts of the CCCI, as six directors have been elected unopposed already.
The candidates are contesting under the two panels - Chamber Parishad and Chattagram Babashayee Parishad.
Incumbent President M A Latif MP is leading Chamber Parishad and the former President Saifuzzaman Chowdhury Javed is leading the Chattagram Babashayee Parishad.
The elected Directors are Omar Faruk, M Jahurul Alam and Absar Hasan Chowdhury from Town Association Group, Syed Jamal Ahmed, Murshed Murad Ibrahim and Arshadul Alam from Trade group.
Among others, 25 are contesting for the post of 12 Directors from Ordinary group and 13 are contesting for the post of 6 directors from the Associate group.
Three directors from trade group and three Directors from Town Association group have been elected unopposed.