NCP's Monira Sharmin appeals to EC over nomination cancellation; hearing today

Jamaat alliance candidate and NCP leader Monira Sharmin has appealed to the Election Commission (EC) against the cancellation of her nomination paper for the reserved women's seat in the 13th national parliament.

She submitted the appeal yesterday (26 April) at the Election Commission building in the capital, challenging the decision of the returning officer.

After filing the appeal, Monira Sharmin told journalists that the EC has scheduled a hearing on her application at 10:30am today (27 April).

Earlier, on Thursday, the returning officer cancelled her nomination as three years had not passed since her resignation from government service.

However, Monira Sharmin disagreed with the decision, saying she did not hold any policymaking authority in her previous government position, and therefore the cancellation on that ground was not justified.

On 22 April, among 13 candidates of the Jamaat alliance, 12 were declared valid, while Monira Sharmin's nomination was kept pending for a day and later cancelled after verification of job-related information.

After the scrutiny process, nomination papers of 36 candidates from the BNP alliance, 12 from the Jamaat alliance, and one from an independent alliance have so far been declared valid.

According to the election schedule announced by the EC, appeals will be disposed of on 27 and 28 April, withdrawal of candidature will take place on 29 April, symbol allocation on 30 April, and voting will be held on 12 May.

Candidates for reserved women's seats are usually elected unopposed.