Manna's nomination cancelled in Bogura-2 over affidavit discrepancy

The nomination of Mahmudur Rahman Manna, convener of Nagorik Oikya, has been cancelled in the Bogura-2 (Shibganj) constituency due to discrepancies in the signature on his affidavit.

Bogura Deputy Commissioner and Returning Officer Md Toufiqur Rahman announced the decision this afternoon (2 January) following scrutiny of nomination papers.

According to the returning officer, inconsistencies were found in the signature on Manna's affidavit, leading to the cancellation of his nomination. Manna was not present at the returning officer's office when the decision was announced.

Meanwhile, the nomination of BNP's alternative candidate Mir Shahe Alam in the constituency was declared valid.

Earlier, the nomination of Jatiyo Party candidate Shariful Islam Jinnah was also cancelled in the same constituency as he failed to submit the required asset disclosure form with his affidavit.

Several candidates had submitted nomination papers for Bogura-2, including Nagorik Oikya's Mahmudur Rahman Manna, BNP's Mir Shahe Alam, Jatiyo Party's Shariful Islam Jinnah, Jamaat-e-Islami's Shahaduzzaman, Islami Andolon's Jamal Uddin, Gono Odhikar Parishad's Selim Sarker, and independent aspirant Rezaul Karim Talu.

According to media reports, the Bogura-2 seat has seen shifting political control over the decades. It was won by the Awami League in the 1973 election, followed by BNP's Abul Hasnat Chowdhury in 1979. Different parties and independent candidates held the seat in subsequent elections.

In 2018, BNP ceded the seat to Manna, who contested with the "sheaf of paddy" symbol but lost to Jinnah.

For the upcoming election, BNP again left the seat for its ally Nagorik Oikya, nominating Manna. Although his candidature initially faced hurdles over loan default and other issues, he eventually entered the race.

However, today's decision over the affidavit signature has once again stalled his participation in the election.