Appeal hearings end: EC clears most candidates in dual citizenship appeals

The Election Commission has upheld the nominations of most candidates whose eligibility was challenged over dual citizenship, clearing the way for them to contest the 12 February national election.

The decisions came today (18 January), the final day of appeal hearings at Nirbachan Bhaban in Agargaon, where the commission's appeal board delivered verdicts on all pending cases except one.

Election officials said the commission declared the majority of applicants eligible after reviewing appeals against returning officers' decisions on dual citizenship.

However, the commission cancelled the candidacy of BNP nominee Md Abdul Gafur Bhuiyan from Cumilla-10 on grounds of dual citizenship.

The commission kept its decision on BNP candidate Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaikobad from Cumilla-3 pending after Jamaat candidate Md Yusuf Sohel filed an appeal against the acceptance of his nomination. Officials said a final decision on that case may be delivered today.

Election Commission public relations director Ruhul Amin Mallik said 63 appeals were heard on the final day. Of those, 23 were accepted, including 21 appeals against cancellation of nominations, restoring those candidacies, and two appeals against acceptance of nominations, resulting in disqualification.

Candidates whose nominations were upheld or reinstated include BNP nominees Abdul Awal Mintoo from Feni-3, Afroza Khanam Rita from Manikganj-3, AKM Kamruzzaman from Dinajpur-5, Shama Obaed from Faridpur-2, Shawkatul Islam from Moulvibazar-2, Kabir Ahmed Bhuiyan from Brahmanbaria-4, Moniruzzaman from Satkhira-4, Tahir Raihan from Sunamganj-2, and Fahim Chowdhury from Sherpur-2.

Security was tightened around Nirbachan Bhaban from early morning amid protests by Chhatra Dal and tensions among supporters of rival candidates. Police, RAB, the army and the Border Guard Bangladesh were deployed to maintain order.

3 BNP heavyweights knocked out on appeal

Throughout the appeal process, the commission cancelled the candidacy of BNP nominee Sarwar Alamgir from Chattogram-2 for defaulting on bank loans, leaving Jamaat candidate Mohammad Nurul Amin with an easier contest.

In Cumilla-4, BNP candidate Manzurul Ahsan Munshi lost his candidacy over loan default, easing the race for NCP nominee Hasnat Abdullah. An appeal challenging Hasnat's nomination was also rejected, confirming the validity of his candidacy. 

In Cumilla-10, BNP nominee Md Abdul Gafur Bhuiyan was disqualified over dual citizenship, while another BNP aspirant, Md Mobasher Alam Bhuiyan, failed to regain his candidacy.

Meanwhile, BNP candidate Aslam Chowdhury's nomination in Chattogram-4 has been upheld. During the hearing, Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Mashud said, "We are validating your nomination. Please repay the bank loan. Failure to do so could provoke public anger. I am telling you this as a fellow human being."

Most Jamaat candidates reinstated on appeal

An appeal challenging the nomination of Jamaat candidate Mohammad Nazrul Islam from Dhaka-1 over dual citizenship was rejected, confirming his eligibility. Md Abdul Haque from Dhaka-2 regained his candidacy after an appeal overturned the returning officer's decision based on loan default.

In Cox's Bazar-2, Jamaat central assistant secretary general AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad also returned to the race after his nomination was restored on appeal. His nomination had earlier been cancelled for concealing information about a contempt of court case.

In Jashore-2, Jamaat candidate Mohammad Masleh Uddin Farid regained his candidacy after an appeal overturned a dual citizenship ruling. Jamaat nominees Junaid Hasan from Brahmanbaria-3, AKM Fazlul Haque from Chattogram-9, and Mahbubul Alam from Kurigram-3 were also declared eligible.

Independents, smaller parties

Several independent and smaller party candidates also regained their candidacies after initial rejection over the 1% vote requirement. Independent candidate Tasnim Jara from Dhaka-9 returned to the race after winning her appeal. Nagorik Oikya president Mahmudur Rahman Manna regained his candidacy in Bogura-2 through an appeal.

NCP candidate Ehteshamul Haque from Sylhet-1 also returned to the contest after an appeal overturned a dual citizenship ruling. The commission also upheld the nomination of independent candidate Abdul Latif Siddiqui from Tangail-4 after rejecting an appeal filed by Jatiya Party nominee Md Liaqat Ali.

A total of 417 candidates regained eligibility through the appeal process. The deadline for submitting nomination papers was 29 December, with around 2,500 nominations filed.

After the end of appeal, CEC AMM Nasir Uddin said, "Many of you may criticise us. You have seen how we handled the one per cent voter signature requirement for independent candidates. We want the election to be participatory. We want everyone to take part in a fair election. But it won't happen without your cooperation."