Candidates seeking cancellation of opposition’s nomination

Staff Reporter :

BNP candidate Manjurul Ahsan Munshi has filed an application seeking the cancellation of the nomination of Hasnat Abdullah, Chief Organiser (South) of the National Citizen Party (NCP), for the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election in the Cumilla-4 (Debidwar) constituency.

Manjurul Ahsan submitted the application to the Election Commission (EC) on Friday. In response, Hasnat has also filed an appeal with the EC, seeking the cancellation of Manjurul’s candidacy.

According to Election Commission, both parties submitted their applications within the stipulated timeframe. EC’s concerned appellate authority will now review the applications and conduct hearings before delivering a final decision.

Earlier, on Thursday, the Chamber Court stayed a High Court order that had removed Manjurul Ahsan Munshi’s name from the list of loan defaulters. The order was issued by Chamber Judge Justice Md Rezaul Haque. Lawyers said that, as a result, Manjurul Ahsan Munshi will not be eligible to contest in the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election.

Barrister Bibhuti Tarfder represented Premier Bank during the court hearing. Speaking afterward, he said that Manjurul Ahsan Munshi would be identified as a loan defaulter and, therefore, would be barred from participating in the national election.

Today (on Friday) marks the final day for filing appeals against the acceptance or rejection of nomination papers for the 13th National Parliamentary Election. Hearings on the appeals are scheduled to begin on 10 January and will continue until 18 January.