Jamaat-backed candidate declared unopposed winner for reserved women's seat in Bangladesh parliament

The Election Commission (EC) has officially confirmed Nusrat Tabassum's unopposed victory for a reserved women's seat in the 13th National Parliament, a significant development for the National Citizen Party (NCP) and its alliance partners.

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Under Section 12 of the Jatiya Sangsad (Reserved Women’s Seat) Election Act, 2004, she was declared elected without contest.

Tabassum, a joint convener of the NCP, secured the seat after her nomination, initially deemed late, was controversially accepted following a High Court directive. This decision highlights the intricate legal and procedural battles that can shape electoral outcomes, even in uncontested races.

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Nusrat filed her nomination 19 minutes past the deadline at the EC’s dispatch branch, which the returning officer initially refused to accept.

The acceptance of Tabassum's nomination, despite being filed minutes after the deadline, underscores the influence of judicial intervention in electoral processes. The EC's subsequent circular solidifies her win, but the disqualification of another NCP nominee, Monira Sharmin, for failing to meet service tenure requirements, adds a layer of complexity to the alliance's representation.

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She later moved the High Court, which directed the EC to accept her nomination.

This outcome, while ensuring representation for the 11-party alliance, also brings to the fore questions about the fairness and adherence to electoral timelines. The EC's decision, guided by the High Court, sets a precedent for how late nominations are handled, potentially impacting future electoral challenges.

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Monira wrote to the EC requesting that Nusrat’s name not be gazetted until the High Court rules on her petition seeking reinstatement.