Monira seeks stay on gazette for Nusrat ’s MP status

A legal dispute has emerged over the publication of the gazette declaring National Citizen Party (NCP) leader Nusrat Tabassum as a Member of Parliament (MP) from a reserved women’s seat in Bangladesh’s 13th National Parliament.

On Sunday (3 May), NCP leader Monira Sharmin submitted a letter to the returning officer, requesting that the gazette notification declaring Nusrat Tabassum as an MP be withheld until the hearing of her ongoing writ petition is completed.

In her letter, Monira Sharmin argued that publishing the gazette before the court delivers its verdict could cause her irreparable harm. She said her nomination for the reserved seat was initially rejected, and although her appeal was also dismissed, she later filed a writ petition in the High Court. The hearing for the case is scheduled for 4 May.

She urged the Election Commission to wait for the court’s decision before finalising the gazette notification.

Meanwhile, Nusrat Tabassum’s nomination, which was initially rejected, was later declared valid by court order, and she was included in the list of eligible candidates.

Election Commission sources said the final decision regarding the seat will depend on the outcome of the ongoing legal proceedings. If the court rules in favour of Monira Sharmin, voting may be held for the seat. However, if the petition is dismissed, Nusrat Tabassum is expected to be formally declared elected unopposed as MP.

Although 49 candidates for reserved women’s seats in the 13th National Parliament have already been elected unopposed, the legal dispute over this particular seat remains unresolved.