Election officials have rejected nomination papers of BNP-nominated candidate Jamaat leader Prof Golam Rabbani in the Rangpur 5 constituency due to lack of information in the papers.
According to sources, Deputy Commissioner and Returning Officer of the district, Enamul Habib cancelled his nomination papers in the constituency as he has hidden information in the affidavit.
The information was delivered after scrutinizing the nomination papers of the candidate at the Returning Officer’s office on Thursday.
Advocate, Bayzid Ahmed, Rabbani’s lawyer alleged that the returning officer was biased while he was scrutinizing the nomination.
Denying the allegation, the returning officer said, after completing the scrutiny of the nomination paper according to a High Court order, the nomination had been cancelled.
In the affidavit, Rabbani cited 15 cases had been filed against him on various charges. He had hidden information in two cases, said police sources.
Though he resigned from the post of chairman of the Mithapur upazila parishad, the ministry did not accept the letter, the sources added.
The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court on Wednesday asked the Rangpur returning officer to complete the scrutiny of Rabbani’s nomination paper within 24 hours after accepting it.
Also Read- SC: Scrutinize Rabbani’s nomination paper within 24hrs
The seven-member bench of the SC led by Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain passed the order after disposing off the appeal petition filed by the returning officer.
Lawyers AJ Mohammad Ali, Imran A Siddique and Shishir Monir petitioned on behalf of Rabbani.
Deputy Attorney General Mokhlesur Rahman represented the state.
Rabbani told the media he had gone to submit all necessary papers for the nomination to the returning officer’s office on Nov 28 at 2:50pm.
He said he waited for a long time but was not allowed to enter his room.
He also claimed they were subjected to various forms of harassment.
Finally the returning officer said he was unable to accept the nomination.
Also Read- HC: Accept Jamaat leader Golam Rabbani's nomination
Earlier on Monday, the HC directed the Rangpur district Returning Officer to accept Rabbani’s nomination paper for the Rangpur 5 constituency.
Rabbani’s lawyer Shishir Monir said when his client went to the returning officer to submit his nomination paper on November 28; the returning officer wasted time without any reason and finally did not accept his nomination paper.
However, the court directed the EC to accept nomination paper as soon as possible, he added.
Golam Rabbani also submitted a written application to the Chief Election Commissioner on Saturday.
Following the HC order, the district returning officer filed an appeal petition with the SC.
Jamaat-e-Islami, which opposed Bangladesh’s independence in 1971, lost its registration as a political party after failing to meet the requirements set by the Election Commission. Their election symbol, the scales, was also barred from use by candidates.
Though they are no longer a registered party, leaders from the Islamist group can still compete in the election in two ways. They can submit their applications as independent candidates or run as a nominee for an already registered party.
Jamaat leaders have submitted nomination forms for at least 24 seats under the sheaf of paddy symbol.
