Manjurul, Hasnat file appeals against each other’s candidacy cancellation

BNP-nominated candidate Manjurul Ahsan Munshi has filed an appeal seeking cancellation of the nomination of Hasnat Abdullah, chief organiser for the southern region of the National Citizen Party and candidate of the 11-party alliance, in the Cumilla-4 Debidwar constituency. On the same day, Hasnat Abdullah also filed an appeal seeking cancellation of Manjurul Munshi’s candidacy.

Both appeals were submitted on Friday, January 9, in the evening at the permanent appeal booth set up in front of the Election Commission building in Agargaon, Dhaka.

Election Commission officials said both parties submitted their applications within the stipulated time. After verification, the commission will hold hearings on the appeals and make a final decision.

It was learned that a total of 131 candidates filed appeals between 10am and 6pm on Friday, the final day for submitting applications for cancellation or reinstatement of candidacy. At the time of filing this report, more candidates were still waiting at the appeal booth.

Election Commission public relations director Ruhul Amin Mallik said all appeals from those present at the election building by 5pm would be accepted, regardless of how long the process takes.

EC officials said a total of 469 appeals against returning officers’ decisions have been submitted to the commission over the past four days, with the highest number, 174, filed on Thursday.

Meanwhile, on Thursday, the Appellate Division’s chamber court stayed for eight weeks a High Court order that had included BNP candidate Manjurul Ahsan Munshi’s name on the loan defaulters’ list and directed that it be made public. Chamber judge Justice Md Rezaul Haque passed the order after hearing separate leave to appeal petitions filed by Premier Bank and IDLC Finance.