The Election Commission (EC) has cancelled the nomination of Monira Sharmin, joint convenor of the National Citizens Party (NCP) and a candidate from the 11-party alliance, for the reserved women’s seats in the 13th National Parliament.
The decision was taken on Thursday afternoon after scrutiny of nomination papers at the EC Secretariat in Agargaon.
Returning Officer Md Moinuddin Khan confirmed the matter.
He said “Electoral rules require a three-year gap after resignation from government service before a candidate can contest elections. As this condition was not met, Monira Sharmin’s nomination was rejected.”
Earlier on Wednesday, the EC had kept her candidature suspended during scrutiny and asked her to submit proof of resignation from government service by 12 noon on Thursday.
Assistant Returning Officer Monir Hossain said one nomination from the independent alliance was accepted, while all 36 nominations from the BNP-led alliance were approved. He also said 13 nominations were submitted from the 11-party alliance, of which one was rejected.
He added that appeals can be filed until 26 April. Hearings will be held on 27 and 28 April. The last date for withdrawal of candidature is 29 April and allocation of symbols will take place on 30 April. Voting is scheduled for 12 May.
The accepted candidates from the 11-party alliance include Sabikun Nahar, Marzia Begum, Mahfuza Hannan, Shamshun Nahar Begum, Mosammat Nazmun Nahar, Nurunnisa Siddika, Mardia Momtaz, Rokeya Begum, Sajeda Samad, Tasmia Prodhan of Jatiya Ganatantrik Party (Jagpa), Mahmuda Alam Mitu of NCP and Mahbuba Hakim of Khelafat Majlis.
Separately, the EC rejected the nomination of NCP leader Nusrat Tabassum for submitting her papers after the deadline.
Election Commission sources said the deadline for submission was 4 pm on Wednesday. Nusrat Tabassum submitted her nomination at 4:19 pm, leading to its cancellation.
