EC awaits parliament's letter before deciding Gazi Nazrul's MP status: EC Masud

The Election Commission (EC) will take a final decision on the parliamentary membership of Satkhira-4 lawmaker Gazi Nazrul Islam only after receiving an official communication from the Jatiya Sangsad, Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud said on Thursday (July 23).

Speaking to reporters at the Election Commission headquarters in Agargaon, Masud said the EC would examine the matter in accordance with the Constitution and existing laws once Parliament formally notifies the commission.

He explained that under the Constitution, an MP's seat becomes vacant if the member resigns from the political party that nominated them. However, expulsion by a political party alone does not automatically disqualify an MP or vacate the parliamentary seat under the current legal framework.

"The Election Commission can proceed only after receiving a formal communication from the Speaker through Parliament," Masud said, adding that any subsequent action would follow the prescribed legal process.

The issue surfaced after Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami expelled Gazi Nazrul Islam from the party over what it described as a "moral misconduct" following an internal investigation into a controversial personal video. The party's central executive council approved his permanent expulsion under Article 62 of its constitution on July 21, before announcing the decision publicly the following day.

Responding to another question, the election commissioner said the EC was working in close coordination with the government on preparations for local government elections, which are expected to begin in October with polls for municipalities and union parishads.

He added that the election schedule would be finalised after considering weather conditions, public examinations and other administrative factors.