A MAN who was forced to flee the Taliban in Afghanistan when he was a teenager could become the first former refugee to win an election in Scotland.

Abdul Bostani, who has lived in Glasgow for more than half his life, is standing as the SNP candidate in the city council’s Partick East/Kelvindale by-election.

The by-election is being held on March 18 after former Tory councillor Tony Curtis lost office because he failed to attend meetings for six months.

Now 38 and a dad-of-six, Bostani has embraced the city since he was sent to Glasgow by the Home Office 20 years ago. As well as becoming an accountant after studying at Strathclyde University, he founded the charity Glasgow Afghan United and has been chair of the Scottish Unity League for many years.

He told the Sunday National he was standing for election because he wanted to contribute even more to the city he has made his home.

“I owe this city and people a lot and if I can contribute in any way I will not even wait for a second. I will jump in and do that,” said Bostani.

He added that after working at a grassroots level with the most vulnerable people in the city he wanted to bring his experience to the council and be involved in the decision-making process.

“I think I can offer a lot and if I am working on the council I can be working for the better of the city because Glasgow is my city – I am a Glasgow boy,” he said.

“I am coming from the heart of the community and have dealt with a lot of challenges and issues and I want to go out there and work hard for my city.”

He said the need would be particularly great as Scotland comes out of lockdown.

“A lot of work needs to be done to help the recovery and I want to be involved,” said Bostani.

As well as the backing of his MP, MSPs and SNP city councillors including council leader Susan Aitken and depute leader David McDonald, he has the support of Kelvin and Anniesland SNP branches and his own Maryhill and Springburn branch, which he joined in 2014.

“The amount of support and good wishes I have had is outstanding,” he said.

“It is great to see because it gives me energy and strength.”

Bostani said he had joined the SNP because he believed all nations should have the right to make decisions for themselves and choose their own destiny.

“We should be the people to make the decisions for ourselves about what is good for us and what is bad for us,” he said.

“I don’t want people hundreds of miles away who have no idea about my city, no idea about how people live here and what is going on, to make decisions on our behalf.

“I believe people should be able to make decisions for themselves and we are in the best place to make our own decisions about the things that concern our nation.”

He added: “We have a lot of good people and all the resources here to function as an independent country.”