The 11-party alliance led by Jamaat-e-Islami is on the verge of losing one of its reserved seats for women in the 13th National Parliament. This risk follows the cancellation of the nomination paper of National Citizen Party (NCP) Joint Convener Monira Sharmin.
Returning Officer and Election Commission (EC) Joint Secretary Moin Uddin Khan said Sharmin’s nomination was cancelled due to a legal barrier, as three years have not yet passed since she left her job at the state-owned Krishi Bank.
This cancellation may result in the Jamaat-led alliance’s seat count dropping to 12, while the BNP-led alliance could potentially gain an additional seat.
According to EC officials, election laws for reserved seats dictate that if a party or alliance fails to field enough candidates for its allotted seats, those seats become “open” to all parties.
As the Jamaat alliance submitted exactly 13 nominations for its 13 allocated seats, there is no opportunity to provide an alternative candidate.
Since the BNP alliance currently holds a larger number of Members of Parliament – who serve as the voters for these seats – they are likely to win the seat if it becomes open under a new schedule.
Following the decision at the Election Bhaban, Monira Sharmin informed journalists that she would appeal the Returning Officer’s decision after consulting with her lawyer.
Her counsel, Nazmus Sakib, stated, “We will appeal to the Election Commission next Sunday to regain the candidacy. We expect to be successful, as we entered the election with full understanding.”
Assistant Returning Officer and EC Deputy Secretary Mohammad Monir Hossain confirmed that an appeal is the standard procedure before a seat is declared open.
Nusrat Tabassum to move to court
In a separate incident, NCP leader Nusrat Tabassum has decided to take legal action after the EC refused to accept her nomination paper. Although the deadline for submission was 4pm last Tuesday (21 April), she reportedly submitted her papers at 4:19 pm.
NCP Joint Chief Coordinator Ariful Islam Tuhin confirmed that Tabassum will go to court over the decision.
Returning Officer Moin Uddin Khan told TIMES of Bangladesh that the candidate had requested a written explanation, and the commission has formally informed her that there is no legal provision to accept nominations after the stipulated deadline.
BNP, independent nominations valid
On a different note, the EC has declared the nominations of all 36 candidates from the BNP-led alliance as valid. The sole candidate from the independent alliance also received clearance.
However, three candidates who filed nominations independently without the support of any party or alliance have had their papers cancelled, according to Assistant Returning Officer Mohammad Monir Hossain.
While 12 candidates from the Jamaat alliance were cleared on the first day of scrutiny, Monira Sharmin’s nomination was initially stayed and subsequently cancelled on Thursday.
According to the announced schedule, the final date for the withdrawal of candidacy is 29 April, following the resolution of appeals, with voting set to take place on 12 May.
