A festive atmosphere prevailed across Chattogram, as 143 candidates filed their nominations for 16 seats on Monday, the final day for submitting nomination papers for the 13th Parliamentary Election.
From morning until afternoon, candidates nominated by various political parties as well as independent contenders submitted their nomination papers, accompanied by party leaders, activists and supporters.
There was a lively presence of candidates at the Chattogram Divisional Commissioner’s Office, the District Administration Office, the District Election Office and at the offices of Upazila Nirbahi Officers in different upazilas of the city.
Among the notable candidates who submitted nomination papers was BNP Standing Committee Member and Chattogram-11 (Bandar–Patenga) constituency candidate Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury. BNP-nominated candidates also submitted papers in various constituencies, including Gias Uddin Qader Chowdhury, Golam Akbar Khondkar and Aslam Chowdhury, along with several others from the city and upazilas.
Candidates from Jamaat-e-Islami, Amar Bangladesh Party, NCP, Jatiya Party, LDP and other political parties also submitted their nomination papers.
After submitting his nomination papers, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury spoke to journalists. “Today is a joyful day for Bangladesh. For the last 15 to 16 years, people have fallen victim to enforced disappearances, killings and false cases. After many sacrifices, people have regained their voting rights. They are eagerly waiting to cast their votes.”
At the District Election Office, a total of 12 candidates, including Jamaat-e-Islami-nominated candidate Shafiul Alam, submitted nomination papers for the Chattogram-11 constituency on the day.
Around 2:45 pm, BNP-nominated candidate for Chattogram-6 (Raozan) constituency and BNP Chairperson’s Advisory Council Member Golam Akbar Khondkar submitted his nomination papers.
After submitting his nomination papers, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami candidate for the Fatikchhari constituency, Principal Nurul Amin, said that if elected, he would make Fatikchhari–Bhujpur free from terrorism, extortion and corruption and bring it back onto the path of peace and development,
Multiple BNP candidates in several constituencies
In Raozan and Banshkhali, multiple BNP candidates submitted nomination papers. In Raozan, in addition to Golam Akbar Khondkar, Gias Qader Chowdhury also submitted nomination papers.
Assistant Returning Officer and Upazila Nirbahi Officer SM Rahatul Islam said BNP candidate for Chattogram-6 (Raozan) constituency Gias Uddin Qader Chowdhury submitted his nomination papers, with local BNP leaders and activists present at the time.
In Chattogram-16 (Banshkhali) constituency, Mohammad Leyakat Ali, a well-known chairman of Banshkhali and a BNP leader, is contesting the election as an independent candidate after failing to secure BNP nomination.
Regarding the submission of nomination papers by multiple party candidates in different constituencies, Amir Khosru said this was not outside the party constitution. He said there was still time for nomination withdrawal and that the party would take a decision collectively, describing it as part of the democratic process.
Lax enforcement of the code of conduct
However, allegations of violations of the electoral code of conduct also surfaced on nomination submission day.
Under the rules, any procession or showdown during nomination submission is prohibited, and no more than five representatives, including the candidate, are allowed to be present.
On the ground, many candidates and their supporters were seen defying these rules by staging processions and showdowns, and in some places scuffles also occurred. Under the amended gazette, violations of the electoral code of conduct can result in a maximum fine of Tk100,000.
Returning Officer and Chattogram Divisional Commissioner Muhammad Ziauddin said magistrates were monitoring violations of the code of conduct and that candidates were submitting nomination papers with no more than five representatives.
Chattogram District Commissioner Zahidul Islam Mia told The Times of Bangladesh that candidates submitted their nomination papers smoothly and no untoward incidents occurred anywhere.
Regarding compliance with the code of conduct during submission, he said candidates were not allowed to have more than five people accompanying them at the time of submission.
