Ukhiya, July 6 (V7N)- Competitors have raised questions about the validity of Professor Humayun Kabir Chowdhury’s candidacy for the chairman position in the by-election of Rajapalang Union Parishad in Ukhiya. Despite being employed at a government college, Professor Chowdhury submitted his nomination form and was declared eligible. The competitors expressed their disappointment regarding the role of the Upazila Election Officer during the nomination scrutiny.
 
According to the schedule, on Friday, (July 5), was the last day for nomination scrutiny. On that day, the present competitors strongly objected during the nomination verification process.
 
Sources from the election office indicated that after the scrutiny of nomination forms from five candidates, all were declared valid candidates by the Ukhiya Upazila Election Officer and Returning Officer for the Rajapalang Union Parishad by-election 2024, Muhammad Mizanur Rahman.
 
The valid candidates are Humayun Kabir Chowdhury, Sadman Jamee Chowdhury, Md. Faridul Alam, Mokbul Hossain Mithun, and Abdul Malek Chowdhury. As this election does not involve any party symbols, all candidates have been listed as independents.
 
Although the Returning Officer validated the nominations of all five candidates, Sadman Jamee's personal lawyer, Barrister Saffat Fardin Ramim, raised objections about the legitimacy of Humayun Kabir Chowdhury’s nomination.
 
He stated that a government employee cannot contest an election without resigning from their position. According to government regulations, one must resign from their post to contest in elections. However, Professor Humayun Kabir Chowdhury is contesting the election without following this procedure. A resignation letter from a government gazetted officer or professor must be accepted by the President to be effective.
 
Sources indicate that by the President’s order, on April 16, 2023, Deputy Secretary Tanzila Khanam of the Secondary and Higher Education Division of the Ministry of Education issued a gazette notification (Memo No. 37.00.0000.085.15.134 (A) 22-1205) to nationalize Bangamata Fazilatunnesa Mujib Women's College in Ukhiya, Cox's Bazar.
 
Professor Humayun Kabir Chowdhury is a professor at this government college. According to the regulations stated in Rules 5 and 6 of the Government College Teachers and Employees Absorption Rules, he has been temporarily appointed in the revenue sector from October 7, 2018, when the college was nationalized.
 
Barrister Saffat Fardin Ramim further stated that maintaining a government job without effective resignation and being listed as a valid candidate under Section 26 (Ch) of the Local Government Act 2009, is not lawful.
 
Candidate Sadman Jamee told reporters that they were surprised by the validity of Humayun Kabir Chowdhury’s candidacy, despite him being a professor at a government-gazetted college. Even after raising objections, the Upazila Election Officer ignored them. Another candidate, Faridul Alam, similarly expressed doubts regarding this issue. The legality of contesting in the election without proper resignation has raised concerns.
 
In response, Ukhiya Upazila Election Officer and Returning Officer for Rajapalang Union Parishad by-election 2024, Muhammad Mizanur Rahman, stated that if there are complaints regarding the candidacy of Professor Humayun Kabir Chowdhury, there is an opportunity to appeal to the District Election Officer within the next three days.
 
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