The home ministry attached M Amzad Hossain, the commissioner, to the Police Headquarters and made Additional Commissioner Mohammed Moniruzzaman as Acting CMP Commissioner.

The EC, a quasi-judicial body, had also directed the home secretary to immediately replace him with a suitable person for holding the May 9 polls in a free, fair manner.

Sources close to Amzad, however, said he was going around saying that he would be reinstated in his position once the election is over.

The EC order came in the wake of allegations by main opposition Awami League-backed Chittagong Nagorik Committee that the CMP commissioner was harassing its workers and favouring the ruling alliance candidate.

The Nagorik Committee is backing incumbent Chittagong City Mayor ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury for a consecutive third term in office.

The CMP commissioner, after declaration of the election schedule, made a number of arrests that apparently amounted to harassment and intimidation, the EC said in its judgement.

On the performance of the CMP commissioner in the CCC polls, the EC said, "CMP Commissioner M Amzad Hossain has failed to perform his duties impartially and his action is not [conducive to] creating an environment [necessary] for free and fair election."

The EC also observed that the CMP commissioner violated the electoral code of conduct by escorting and providing the state minister for civil aviation and tourism, also Mohiuddin's rival for mayor's office, with police protection after the election schedule was announced.

The Nagorik Committee filed a complaint with the EC on April 17 and mayoral candidate Mohiuddin himself lodged another against the CMP top officials.

They alleged that the CMP commissioner instructed some plainclothesmen to pick up Nagorik Committee Secretary Mahbubul Haque from Majhirghat office on April 21 although there was no case or warrant against him. As the local people opposed the action, the police opened fire resulting in the death of two people".

They also alleged that six leading workers of the Nagorik Committee were arrested without any charges after the declaration of the polls schedule. Besides, the CMP commissioner "was seen participating in the election campaign" with ruling alliance candidate Mir Mohammad Nasir Uddin.

The Nagorik Committee leaders maintain that free and fair election is not possible until the CMP stops harassing their workers.

The EC summoned the CMP commissioner and a CMP assistant commissioner to answer the allegations and heard both sides on April 30. The CMP commissioner, during hearing, denied all allegations.

The full commission headed by Chief Election Commissioner MA Syed yesterday reviewed all documents for over three hours and delivered the judgement.

After the judgement, Election Commissioner AK Mohammad Ali told journalists that they had unanimously taken the decision after reviewing all relevant documents submitted by the parties.

On the basis of the evidence and records and circumstances, it has been proved that the CMP commissioner has violated the electoral code of conduct and failed to act impartially, said the EC.

The EC, however, said nothing about CMP's Assistant Commissioner, Detective Branch, Gazi Jasim Uddin, who also faced similar charges.

The EC secretariat yesterday sent the EC order to the home ministry. The constitutional provision stipulates that all executives must assist the EC in discharging its duties.

EC RULING HAILED
The Nagorik Committee leaders yesterday hailed the EC directive for withdrawal of Amzad Hossain from the post of CMP Commissioner.

The leaders at a press conference said the decision substantiates the allegation that Mohiuddin had made against the CMP commissioner.

However, they expressed discontent over 'the exemption of Assistant Commissioner (AC) Gazi Jasim Uddin from the charges'.

Mohiuddin, also general secretary of Chittagong City Awami League, congratulated the EC on its taking the decision.