EC appeal hearings: BNP gets some relief in Chattogram, but Aslam’s fate undecided

The Election Commission (EC) yesterday (15 January) cleared way for BNP candidates Humam Kader Chowdhury and Jasim Uddin Ahmed to contest in Chattogram, while BNP nominee Mohammad Aslam Chowdhury remains in limbo as appeals over his nomination are still pending.

The commission also restored the candidacy of Advocate Mohammad Mizanul Haque Chowdhury, a former BNP leader now running as an independent in Chattogram-14, setting up a tougher fight for Jasim Uddin in the constituency.

Meanwhile, appeals by a faction of the Jatiya Party, including one by its chairman Anisul Islam Mahmud, were rejected, keeping them out of the race.

EC Director (Public Relations) Md Ruhul Amin Mallik said the commission held hearings on 104 appeals yesterday at its Agargaon auditorium, Dhaka. Of these, 60 were accepted, 29 rejected and 10 kept pending.

In Chattogram-7 (Rangunia), Humam Kader Chowdhury faced allegations of loan default from People's Leasing and Financial Services, but the EC dismissed the appeal.

Humam told reporters his name was not on the Bangladesh Bank CIB report at the time of him submitting his nomination on 29 December.

He alleged that an attempt was made on 8 January to suddenly show him as a defaulter through a banking process, and an appeal was filed the same night.

"There is a court stay order on the CIB report used against me. Considering that, the Election Commission upheld my candidacy," he said, leaving it to the public to judge whether the move was part of a conspiracy.

Jasim, Mizanul return In Chattogram-14 (Chandanaish), the EC rejected an appeal filed by LDP candidate Omar Faruque against BNP nominee Jasim Uddin Ahmed, clearing way for Jasim to contest.

Also, the commission accepted an appeal by Advocate Mohammad Mizanul Haque Chowdhury, an independent candidate and former BNP south district vice-president, restoring his candidacy.

His return has intensified competition in the seat and added pressure on the BNP camp. Aslam Chowdhury's wait continues BNP candidate Mohammad Aslam Chowdhury's nomination in Chattogram-4 (Sitakunda) remains unresolved.

Trust Bank filed an appeal alleging he is a loan defaulter. The EC did not dispose of the appeal on Thursday and kept it pending until Saturday. Two more appeals against Aslam are also awaiting hearings.

Bank Asia has filed one on loan default grounds, scheduled for Saturday, while another was filed by Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Md Anwar Siddique, set to be heard on Sunday.

Jatiya Party candidates dropped In Chattogram-5 (Hathazari), the EC rejected the appeal of Jatiya Party (one faction) chairman Anisul Islam Mahmud, upholding the returning officer's decision to cancel his nomination due to party nomination complications.

Two other Jatiya Party candidates also failed to regain their nominations. The EC upheld the cancellations of MA Salam in Chattogram-3 (Sandwip) and Sirajul Islam Chowdhury in Chattogram-12 (Patiya).

An appeal by independent candidate Milon Kanti Sharma from Chattogram-9 (Bakalia–Kotwali) was also dismissed.

Others cleared or pending In Chattogram-2 (Fatikchhari), Khelafat Majlis candidate HM Ashraf bin Ayakub regained his nomination on appeal, while Gono Odhikar Parishad candidate Rabiul Hasan was declared valid.

An appeal by Islami Andolan Bangladesh candidate Mohammad Amzad Hossain in Chattogram-3 remains pending, with a hearing scheduled for Saturday.