BNP’s three heavyweight candidates get final verdict on nomination

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court has delivered its final verdict on the nomination eligibility of three prominent BNP candidates for the upcoming 13th National Parliament election. A five-member bench led by Chief Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury pronounced the judgement on Sunday (1 February) morning.

In the ruling, the court declared BNP candidate Mobasher Alam Bhuiyan’s nomination valid for the Cumilla-10 (Nangalkot-Lalmai) constituency. The Appellate Division dismissed the loan default allegation against him, clearing the way for him to contest the election with the ‘Sheaf of Paddy’ symbol.

However, the court upheld the cancellation of BNP’s other candidate from the same constituency, Abdul Gofur Bhuiyan. The allegation of dual citizenship (with the United States) was found proven, and the Appellate Division maintained the decision of the Election Commission and High Court to reject his nomination. As a result, he will not be able to participate in the election.

In Cumilla-4 (Debidwar) constituency, the court rejected BNP heavyweight and former MP Manjurul Ahsan Munshi’s petition for leave to appeal. The Appellate Division upheld the Election Commission and High Court decisions to cancel his nomination on grounds of loan default. With this ruling, Munshi’s final legal effort to regain his candidacy has failed.

In Cumilla-4, Hasnat Abdullah, chief organiser of the southern region of the National Citizen Party (NCP), is contesting the election as part of the Jamaat-led 11-party alliance.

Background of the cases

The Election Commission had earlier cancelled Manjurul Ahsan Munshi’s nomination on 17 January following a complaint lodged by Hasnat Abdullah alleging loan default. Munshi then moved the High Court and subsequently the Appellate Division.

Lawyers noted that the Supreme Court’s order brings an end to all legal proceedings concerning the candidacies of these three BNP leaders. As a result:

- Mobasher Alam Bhuiyan can now contest the election without any legal barrier.
- Abdul Gofur Bhuiyan and Manjurul Ahsan Munshi have been declared ineligible to participate in the 13th National Parliament election.