Dhaka: The Election Commission (EC) has declared the nomination of Jamaat-e-Islami-led alliance candidate and National Citizen Party (NCP) leader Nusrat Tabassum Jyoti valid for the reserved women's seat of the 13th National Parliament. Returning Officer and EC Joint Secretary Md Moin Uddin Khan officially confirmed the matter after the scrutiny of the nomination papers at Nirbachan Bhaban in the city's Agargaon area this afternoon.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Nusrat Tabassum was present at the commission at 11 am today as scheduled with all the necessary documents for the verification of her nomination papers. Her nomination papers were accepted as valid as the documents were verified, and the signatures of the proposer, supporter, and the coordinator of the alliance were complete. Moin further stated that the declared valid nomination papers will now be presented to the EC for final approval. If the commission approves, it will be published in the form of a gazette.
Following the validation of her nomination papers, Nusrat Tabassum addressed reporters, stating that some official procedures, including gazette publication and oath, are still pending. She emphasized her commitment to representing her party and political ideology, regardless of her parliamentary status.
Previously, on April 21, the returning officer did not accept her nomination papers due to being 19 minutes late after the 4 pm deadline. Nusrat Tabassum filed a writ in the High Court, which accepted her nomination papers on April 27 and ordered scrutiny according to the law. The nomination papers were subsequently accepted on April 29, with the scrutiny date set for May 2.
Meanwhile, the candidacy of another NCP-nominated candidate, Monira Sharmin, has been canceled due to legal complications. She has gone to court against this decision. Returning officer Moin Uddin Khan indicated that the EC has not yet received a copy of any written order from the court regarding this matter. Further action will be taken upon receipt of the court order.
On April 30, the EC published the final gazette of 49 MPs out of 50 posts of reserved women seats in the 13th national parliament. As there were equal numbers of candidates against the vacant posts and no withdrawals, they were declared elected unopposed. According to the published gazette, 36 women MPs have been elected from the BNP-led alliance, 12 from the Jamaat-led alliance, and one from the independent alliance.