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๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ฉ Bangladesh /Elections & Politics

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From Daily Star · (5m ago) English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • An appeal has been filed with the Election Commission challenging the nomination of a BNP candidate for a reserved women's parliamentary seat.
  • The challenger alleges the candidate is still serving in a position that disqualifies her from contesting the election.
  • The candidate denies the allegation, stating she resigned from the council prior to nomination, though the formal acceptance of her resignation is under question.

The Daily Star reports on a contentious nomination challenge within Bangladesh's political landscape, specifically concerning a reserved women's parliamentary seat. The appeal filed against BNP candidate Madhabi Marma by Chandra Chakma, a central joint secretary of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, centers on an alleged violation of electoral rules.

This makes her nomination invalid. I have requested the Chief Election Commissioner to cancel it.

โ€” Chandra ChakmaStating the reason for the appeal and her request to the Election Commission.

Chakma's core argument is that Marma remains a member of the Bandarban Hill District Council, an 'office of profit,' which, according to electoral law, should disqualify her from contesting a reserved seat. The appeal highlights that Marma allegedly did not resign from this position or complete the necessary legal procedures before submitting her nomination papers on April 21. This procedural lapse, if proven, would render her nomination invalid, a point Chakma has formally requested the Chief Election Commissioner to address.

I have submitted copies of my resignation to the relevant authorities.

โ€” Madhabi MarmaDenying the allegation and asserting she followed resignation procedures.

Adding a layer to the dispute, Chandra Chakma also revealed her own bid for the same reserved seat, suggesting a potential political rivalry behind the challenge. Madhabi Marma, however, has refuted the allegations, asserting that she resigned from the council on April 20 and has provided documentation to the relevant authorities. The crux of the matter now lies in the timing and formal acceptance of her resignation, with conflicting information emerging from Bandarban Hill District Council officials.

the form had no requirement for such information.

โ€” Madhabi MarmaResponding to a question about whether her resignation was mentioned in her EC affidavit.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Daily Star. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.