HC asks EC to accept Kader Siddique`s nomination

The High Court (HC) on Wednesday asked the Election Commission (EC) to accept nomination of Krishak Sramik Janata League (KSJL) president Abdul Kader Siddique to contest the Tangail-4 by-polls. An HC vacation bench comprising Justice Miftah Uddin Chowdhury and Justice Qazi M Ejaharul Haque Akand passed the order in the morning after hearing a writ petition filed by Kader Siddique challenging the cancellation of his nomination, said Barrister Raghib Rauf Chowdhury, lawyer for Kader Siddique. The bench also stayed the cancellation orders of Kader Siddique’s nomination, issued by the Chief Election Commissioner and returning officer, he added. Earlier on October 20, Kader Siddique filed the writ petition with the HC challenging the legality of the cancellation of his nomination to contest the Tangail-4 by-polls. The parliamentary seat-133 (Tangail-4) has remained vacant since September 1 as sacked minister Abdul Latif Siddique, elder brother of Kader Siddique, quit his parliament membership the day. On October 11, KSJL president Kader Siddique and three other leaders of the party submitted nomination papers to contest the by-election slotted for November 10. On October 13, the Election Commission (EC) rejected the nomination papers submitted by Kader Siddique and his wife Nasrin Siddique on loan default charges. On October 18, a five-member panel, headed by Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad, also dismissed the appeals filed by Kader Siddique and Nasrin Siddique against the cancellation of their nominations. — Dhaka, Oct 21 (UNB)