The Teachers’ Association of Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur (BRUR) has condemned the inclusion of Prof Nazmul Ahsan Kalimullah, a former vice chancellor of the university, among the candidates recommended for appointment as the next chief election commissioner and election commissioners.
The Search Committee on forming the next Election Commission (EC) on Monday published a list of 322 names proposed by different parties, organizations and individuals that includes Kalimullah’s name.
The teachers said that there were various allegations against the former VC which makes his candidature void for the post of the Chief Election Commissioner or an Election Commissioner.
At a meeting of the executive committee of the association on Thursday, the teachers demanded the exclusion of Kalimullah’s name from the list, said a press release.
The teachers also decided to send a letter to the EC search committee condemning Kalimullah’s inclusion in the list.
General Secretary of the Teachers Association of BRU Syed Anwarul Azim confirmed the matter to Dhaka Tribune.
Prof Kalimullah, a teacher of public administration at Dhaka University, is the founder of Jatiya Nirbachan Parjabekkhan Parishad (Janipop) or National Election Observation Council.
Anwarul Azim alleged that Kalimullah had destroyed the environment for education and research at the university during his tenure as the VC.
There are hundreds of allegations against him of corruption and irregularities. “The security of the country will be compromised if someone controversial as Kalimullah is given the task of the CEC or EC,” he added.
Another member of the association Md Asaduzzaman Mandal alleged that the ex-VC had directly been involved in academic, administrative and financial irregularities, nepotism, frauds and admission trade. He said that such a person could not do any good to the state.
Another teachers’ organization named Odhikar Surokkha Parishad (Rights Protection Council) earlier published a 790-page white paper on various irregularities and corruption of Kalimullah.
Dr Matiur Rahman, convener of the Odhikar Surokkha Parishad, alleged that the University Grants Commission (UGC) had yet to take any action against Kalimullah, even though allegations brought against the former VC were found to be true.
He said that someone like Kalimullah would make the entire election process questionable.
