The scrutiny of nomination papers for the Chattogram-2 (Fatikchhari) constituency has resulted in the rejection of three candidates, validation of three others, and conditional approval for another three, who have been given time to rectify deficiencies in their submissions.
Chattogram Deputy Commissioner and Returning Officer for Chattogram-2, Mohammad Zahidul Islam Mian, conducted the scrutiny at 11am on Friday.
The rejected candidates are independent contenders Jinnat Akter and Ahmad Kabir, and Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis nominee HM Ashraf Bin Yakub.
During verification, election officials randomly selected 10 voters from the one per cent supporter list submitted by Jinnat Akter. Eight of them denied signing in her favour. As a result, her nomination was cancelled.
Ahmad Kabir’s nomination was rejected due to the absence of the mandatory one per cent voter signatures, as required under Section 12 (Ka-1) of the election rules.
HM Ashraf Bin Yakub lost his candidacy for failing to submit party nomination documents and an affidavit.
Three candidates have been given time until 4pm on Friday to correct shortcomings. They are Supreme Party nominees Shahzada Syed Saifuddin Ahmed, Md Osman Ali, and Gono Odhikar Parishad candidate Rabiul Hasan.
Shahzada Syed Saifuddin Ahmed must submit missing information by the deadline or face cancellation. His party colleague Md Osman Ali was absent during scrutiny and has also been asked to appear and complete documentation by 4pm.
Rabiul Hasan has been given time to submit the required supporter signatures, which were missing from his nomination papers.
The valid candidates are Jamaat-e-Islami’s Mohammad Nurul Amin, BNP nominee Sarwar Alomgir, and Janata Party candidate Mohammad Golam Naosher Ali.
Returning Officer Mohammad Zahidul Islam Miah said rejected candidates will be able to appeal within four days after 4 January.
A total of 14 aspirants collected nomination forms for the Chattogram-2 seat, while nine candidates ultimately submitted their papers.
