No election took place in Mongla Port Municipality for the last 10 years. Under the leadership of the current municipal mayor, some individuals have usurped power.
“In order to develop leadership, ensure good governance and maintain democratic continuity, all the complexities have to be resolved and elections have to be held for the expiring Mongla Port Municipality as soon as possible,” said speakers at a human chan.
Prof Sheikh Nazrul Islam, Acting President of Sushanorer Jonno Nagorik (Sujan), presided over the human chain formed in Mongla on Sunday.
Sujan's general secretary, former upazila vice chairman Mohammad Nur Alam Sheikh, freedom fighter Mohammad Mohsin Hossain, Mongla Press Club general secretary Hasan Gazi, civil society leaders Nazmul Haque, Mohammad Monir Hossain, Kamala Sarkar, labour leader Abdus Salam and others spoke on the occasion.
Addressing the incumbent Municipal Mayor Mohammad Zulfiqar, the speakers said that it is against the democratic norms and culture to hold a position without people’s verdict.
Speakers demanded the resignation of the municipal mayor at the moment and the election of the expiring Mongla Port municipality as soon as possible. In his closing remarks, Francis Sudan Haldar, president of the rally and Sujan Mongla, said there was no alternative to holding elections in Mongla Port Municipality.
He demanded immediate municipal elections by resolving all the complications. Several shows of different classes and professions participated in the human chain.
The last election of Mongla Port Municipality was held on 13 January 2011. Although ten years have passed, the municipal elections have not been held on time due to conspiracy cases. At present, the High Court has dismissed all the cases and directed the Election Commission to conduct the municipal elections. But then again, the civil society is concerned about the apprehension of the conspiracy case, he said.
