Accusations of bias have been directed at the Election Commission of the Bangladesh Ship Handling and Berth Operators Association (BSBOA), which represents a segment of Chattogram port users. Furthermore, numerous allegations have surfaced, including violations of voting regulations.
Since the election process commenced, various general members of the association have reported significant irregularities and corruption concerning the commission's formation, the nomination submission process, unauthorized weapons training in breach of the code of conduct, unlawful election participation through misinterpretation of the law, and questions regarding the legitimacy of the candidates' nomination papers. A general diary has been lodged at the Double Mooring Police Station of the CMP regarding these issues.
In light of these circumstances, stakeholders are concerned that the operations of Chattogram Port, along with critical activities such as the loading and unloading of goods for the country's imports and exports, may be severely impacted.
It has been reported that the BSBOA management committee elections are scheduled for December 20. Previously, a three-member election commission was established, led by Commodore (Retd.) Ariful Islam.
AHM Manjur Alam, Managing Director of M/s Ocean Aid Service Limited and a BSBOA member, stated that AKM Shamsuzzaman Russell and his associates have maintained the chairmanship of the Bangladesh Ship Handling and Berth Operators Association since 2018, owing to the political influence of the Awami League government. Since August 5, the association's leaders have been in hiding and have not attended the office even once. In secrecy, they have formed a three-member election commission and a three-member appeal board with the assistance of a controversial dictator to regain control of the association. Subsequently, this commission has not visited the association office at all, and the identities of two of the three members remain unknown. Once again, no one is familiar with them after the establishment of an appeal board. They lack any affiliation with the association.
He stated that no member of the Election Commission was present at the association, and only one employee received the nomination papers. A total of seven nomination papers were submitted by the final submission day, and that employee compiled a list of these seven papers and signed it in a sealed format. However, it was subsequently reported that 17 candidates had actually submitted their nomination papers. The election candidates are asserting that this information is incorrect and part of a conspiracy.
Four organizations that have previously been part of the BSBOA executive committee have sent communications to the Election Commissioner, alleging that they are unlawfully participating in the elections by appointing a different individual to represent their organization in the currently announced elections, thereby misinterpreting the law. The complaint requests the cancellation of their candidacies and the imposition of punitive measures.
On November 16, Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md. Babul Azad of CMP Double Mooring Police Station acknowledged the existence of a record concerning the display of weapons at the BSBOA office and indicated that there is a conflict between two groups.
Inquiry regarding the legitimacy of a candidate's nomination paper:
Concerns have been raised about the nomination paper of Sarwar Hossain Sagar, who is a candidate for the chairman position in the election. This is because only the owner is eligible to run in the election. If any shareholder, other than a member of the board of directors of an organization, wishes to be a candidate, they must obtain the board's approval. In this instance, it is claimed that Sarwar Hossain Sagar is not a member of the Barnali Corporation's board of directors; he is merely a shareholder of 100 shares in the Barnali Corporation. Therefore, for Sarwar Hossain Sagar to participate in the election, he must submit the board of directors' approval or resolution along with his nomination paper. For this reason, multiple candidates in the election have called for the cancellation of Sarwar Hossain Sagar's nomination.
In response to the complaint, Sarwar Hossain Sagar stated, I am a shareholder director. I am the owner. As a representative of the ownership, I have presented a resolution from the board of directors. Together, we are 8 individuals who own the spectrum. Among us, 4 are currently on the board. Not all of them remain on the board now.
When questioned, Mashiul Alam Swapan, the owner of KM Agency and a member of BSBOA, remarked that the commissioners failed to provide satisfactory answers regarding the contentious issues of the election during the nomination verification meeting. The allies of the dictatorship are eager to render the Chattogram port inactive, reminiscent of the situation in 1996. The relevant administration should take a firm stance against them.
AHM Manjur Alam expressed concerns about potential serious irregularities in the election due to the collusion of those implicated in the August 5 murder case. The actions of the Election Commission, which appears to be pursuing the agenda of the dictatorship's allies, are inciting anger among the general members of the association and the relevant institutions. The leaders of the outgoing committee of this commission have removed their own names from the voter list and added the names of other employees or individuals, which is illegal and unconstitutional. We are troubled by the revelation that they are submitting nomination papers through an unseen election commission.
He stated that we fear this invisible election commission might orchestrate an election farce in the form of a dummy election for 12 members, without any contest, similar to the previous dictatorial regime, without visiting the association office to verify the nomination papers.
When asked about these accusations, BSBOA Chief Election Commissioner Commodore (Retd) Syed Ariful Islam refuted the claims, stating, "I am not working for anyone. However, since when is the Chief Election Commissioner of BSB.
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