Women's reserved seats: EC puts Monira Sharmin's candidacy on hold over resignation documents

The Election Commission (EC) has suspended the candidacy of National Citizen Party (NCP) Joint Convener Monira Sharmin for a women's reserved seat in parliament, pending submission of required documents.

Returning Officer Moin Uddin Khan announced the decision at the Election Commission building in the capital's Agargaon today (22 April), giving Sharmin until 12pm tomorrow to provide proof of her resignation from government service.

Out of 13 candidates scrutinised on the first day, 12 nominations, filed by candidates from Jamaat-e-Islami, NCP and other alliance partners, were declared initially valid, while Sharmin's remained pending.

Officials said documents submitted by Sharmin mentioned a government pay scale, prompting the EC to seek clarification. Under electoral law, a person cannot contest parliamentary elections within three years of leaving government jobs. 

According to sources, Sharmin joined Bangladesh Krishi Bank as an officer in October 2023 and resigned in December 2025. 

Jamaat Assistant Secretary General Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair told reporters that their alliance expects Sharmin's candidacy to be validated after submission of the required documents within the deadline.

Meanwhile, the returning officer did not accept NCP candidate Nusrat Tabassum's nomination, as it was submitted after the deadline. 

The EC has set 26 April for filing appeals over nomination decisions, with hearings scheduled for 27 and 28 April.

Scrutiny of BNP candidates for 36 reserved seats, along with independent candidates, will take place tomorrow.