2 banks appeal to EC seeking cancellation of nomination of BNP's Aslam Chowdhury
Jamaat candidate Anwar Siddique Chowdhury claimed that although a court order restrained authorities from declaring Aslam Chowdhury a loan defaulter, it imposed a condition requiring him to deposit Tk50 crore in 13 banks by 31 January.
Two banks have filed appeals with the Election Commission (EC) seeking cancellation of BNP candidate Aslam Chowdhury's nomination for the Chattogram-4 (Sitakunda) constituency. Separately, Jamaat-e-Islami candidate for the same seat, Anwar Siddique Chowdhury, has also filed an appeal.
According to information published on the EC website yesterday (11 January), Bank Asia and Trust Bank submitted separate applications seeking cancellation of Aslam Chowdhury's nomination.
Sources at the Election Commission said hearings on the appeals are scheduled to be held on Thursday (15 January) and Friday (16 January).
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Earlier, on 3 January, the Chattogram returning officer's office, following scrutiny, declared Aslam Chowdhury's nomination papers valid.
However, allegations surfaced that he is a loan defaulter. Jamaat candidate Anwar Siddique Chowdhury claimed that although a court order restrained authorities from declaring Aslam Chowdhury a loan defaulter, it imposed a condition requiring him to deposit Tk50 crore in 13 banks by 31 January.
He said that despite this condition, the nomination was upheld.
Aslam Chowdhury has denied the allegations. In a press release issued yesterday, he said a vested quarter was conspiring to have his nomination cancelled.
Election Commission sources said the managing director of Bank Asia's Dhaka corporate office filed the appeal against Aslam Chowdhury's candidature. Trust Bank also submitted a separate appeal on similar grounds.
