Gazipur city polls: Zahangir's nomination cancelled

The nomination paper of Mohammad Zahangir Alam, suspended mayor of Gazipur City Corporation, has been cancelled.

The returning officer, Md Faridul Islam, of election cancelled the nomination paper saying Zahangir is a loan defaulter.

Speaking about the reason why Zahangir's nomination was cancelled, Faridul said, "We have information from Bangladesh Bank's Credit Information Bureau (CIB) that Zahangir is a loan defaulter. He became a loan defaulter as a guarantor."

On April 27, Zahangir submitted his nomination papers to run for mayor as an independent.

He also submitted nomination papers for his mother, Zaida Khatun, who too would be running for mayor.

The returning officer, however, declared Zaida's nomination valid.

Meanwhile, the Election Commission held a press conference at the office or the Returning Officer in Gazipur in this regard.

Zahangir was present at the event.

Speaking to the journalists, Zahangir said he will appeal to the EC against the cancellation of his nomination paper as he did not get justice.

He said, "I mortgaged my own land for humanitarian reasons to save an industrial establishment. I didn't take the money myself and the company is paying the loan."

Yet, the cancellation of his nomination is undemocratic, he claimed.

Zahangir also claimed that he did not receive any "fair treatment and justice" from the EC.

The former GCC mayor said, "The Election Commission has moved away from its neutral stance. I do not know for which invisible pressure they did it."

"I want justice. I will go up to High Court and Supreme Court, if necessary," he said.

Zahangir claimed that all the documents were submitted though the lawyer and bank authorities, but the EC cancelled his nomination paper citing CID's name.