YAN
Ali Harb
One mayor fell; another mayor rose. But the fight is not over.
Muhith Mahmood was sworn in as Hamtramck’s new mayor earlier this month, replacing Adam Alharbi, who had been declared the winner of the local election by six votes a year earlier.
But a months-long saga that involved 37 absentee ballots that had not been counted overturned the election results.
A Wayne County judge ruled last month that the ballots must be counted, flipping the race in Mahmood’s favor by 11 votes. The ballots were found in the city clerk’s office a day after the election.
Mahmood is now the new mayor, and his allies and some local officials in Southeast Michigan say the community should come together and move forward.
“Our journey has shown why every voice deserves to be heard and every ballot deserves to be counted. Hamtramck is a special American city,” Mahmood, who is now the city’s first Bangladeshi mayor, said in his inauguration speech.
He hailed what he called a “new chapter” for the city, asserting his commitment to serve every resident.
But Alharbi does not appear to be ready to move on. He is appealing two court decisions that led to his opponent’s accession to the mayor’s office.
Alharbi, who is of Yemeni descent, is challenging Mahmood’s residency status, alleging that the mayor lived in Troy at the time of the election in 2025, making him ineligible to run for mayor of Hamtramck.
The now former mayor is also seeking a recount of all the absentee ballots, arguing that there were irregularities in the vote that must be fully investigated.
Legal appeals
Nabih Ayyad, who is representing Alharbi, told The Yemeni American News the case is far from settled.
“The saga continues in this case. There’s two pending cases in the Wayne County Circuit Court. We’re filing appeals in both of them,” he said, referring to the recount request and the residency challenge.
Mahmood insists that he lives in Hamtramck, but he has family in Troy. However, Ayyad called the court’s ruling asserting his eligibility a “horrible” decision, citing witnesses and cellphone tower data that the lawyer says show that the mayor was not a resident of the city last year.
Ayyad is also focused on what he says were absentee ballots that had Alharbi’s name scratched off.
“If they truly care about the will of voters of Hamtramck, they should allow them to be counted and let the chips fall where they may,” Ayyad told The Yemeni American News.
“I don’t care at the end of the day who wins or loses. The fact is, every vote should count. If these are fraudulent votes, kick them out. If they’re legitimate votes, add them. That’s all we’re saying.”
Despite Ayyad’s protests, Mahmood’s swearing in ceremony on November 8 was a festive affair that emphasized unity and the historic moment for the Bangladeshi American community.
“I would like to congratulate our honorable mayor, Muhith Mahmood on taking the oath of office. This is an important moment and a new beginning for our city,” said Hamtramck Councilmember Nayeem Choudhury.
“I also want to thank all the distinguished guests and community members for being here and showing their support. Leadership is about serving the people, bringing communities together and working for a better future.”
‘Why haven’t they moved on?’
Asked why Alharbi would not just accept the outcome and adhere to the calls for moving on, Ayyad questioned why Mahmood’s camp did not accept the initial outcome of the election. “The fact is my client was the mayor for a year already. Why haven’t they moved on?”
As the legal battle proceeds, the passions on both sides may be turning into tensions.
Councilmember Mohammed Hassan had a message for Alharbi after Mahmood took the oath of office.
“Officially from today, Muhith Mahmood, first Bangladeshi mayor in Hamtramck City, along with Michigan. I have to go to work. I will make a short speech. I only want to say: Mr. Adam Alharbi, come here, see who is the mayor today,” Hassan said.
His fellow councilmember Choudhury tried to dial down the confrontational tone. “Today, it’s my turn. Tomorrow would be someone else’s turn,” he said.
While supporters of Alharbi and Mahmood may not agree on who the rightful mayor of the city is, both sides are in agreement that the ordeal demonstrates the importance of voting.
“Every vote absolutely counts. I mean literally they can write a course in election law on this. This example right now honestly can be taught in every university in the country,” Ayyad.
