The 11-party alliance led-by Jamaat-e-Islami has demanded the resignation of Panchagarh Deputy Commissioner and Returning Officer Kazi Mohammad Sayemuzzaman, accusing him of administrative bias and failure to enforce election rules.
The alliance leaders staged a sit-in protest in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office from Wednesday afternoon.
After receiving no response from the administration, they intensified their demand for the official’s resignation late in the evening.
During the sit-in, protesters performed Maghrib and Isha prayers in front of the office premises.
Speaking at the programme, leaders including district NCP Organisational Secretary Shishir Asad, Panchagarh municipal Jamaat Ameer Zainal Abedin, Secretary Nasir Uddin, Hefazat leader Fazle Rabbi and district Chhatra Shakti Secretary Mazharul Islam Selim alleged that the BNP candidate had repeatedly violated the election code of conduct but the Returning Officer failed to take any action.
They claimed that the BNP candidate had been campaigning with illegally placed festoons and banners.
Despite being given a deadline to remove the banners, no action was taken within the stipulated time, prompting the alliance to demand the DC’s resignation.
Later in the evening, the alliance received support from Panchagarh-1 candidate and NCP chief organiser (north) Sarjis Alam, district Jamaat Ameer Iqbal Hossain and district Khelafat Majlis president Mir Morshed Tuhin.
No immediate response was received from the district administration or the Returning Officer regarding the allegations. The sit-in was still underway when the report was filed.
