Four prosecutors from International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), as well as the chief coordinator of the ICT’s investigation agency, have bought nomination papers from ruling Awami League, in a bid to take part in the upcoming national elections.
They confirmed that they bought their nomination papers on Sunday.
All of them went to buy the nomination papers from Awami League’s central office on Sunday, accompanied by their supporters and some local leaders. Earlier in the day, they also sought blessings from their colleagues and media personnel.
The four prosecutors are Sultan Mahmud from Satiyatpur-2 (Noria-Shakhipur), Nurjahan Begum from Chandpur, Mokhlesur Rahman Badal from Kishorganj-2 (Pakundia-Kotiadi), while Syed Saidul Haqueis seeking a party ticket for Chunarughaat.
The prosecutors were reportedly engaged in intense lobbying for securing Awami League nominations to contest in the upcoming polls from their local constituencies.
After buying his nomination papers after 3pm, Sultan Mahmud told the Dhaka Tribune:“Let’s see, what happens. I am hopefulin achieving my goal. I am serving Awami League since my youth. Now it is time to give something to the nation.”
Prosecutor Syed Saidul Haque said: “The people from my constituency are very much happy as I took the nomination paper today [Sunday].”
To woo voters and draw supportfrom the grassroots-level, all of them have started communicating with their constituents, holding meetings with local leaders and planning for election campaign. Some of them have also openedgroups on social networking site Facebook to campaign withthe young generation.
Abdul Hannan Khan, chief coordinator of investigation agency,said: “I think I have every potential to get nomination and I am encouraged by my popularity in my constituency. So, I am optimistic of getting nomination from Netrakona-5.”
Mokhlesur Rahman Badal was seeking candidacy for the Kishoreganj-2 seatwhere Prof Dr Abdul Mannan, member of Central Advisory Council of Awami League, was the incumbent lawmaker.
About his nomination possibilities, Badal said Dr Mannan was a good candidate,but he was above 80 years old and it would be tough for him to visit all 20 unions for election campaign. “So I am hopeful about nomination and doing my job in my election area,” he added.
Meanwhile ICT Prosecutors Mohammad Ali, AKM Saiful Islam and Abul Kalam were alsoreported to be interested in buying nomination papers from Awami League. However, AKM Saiful Islam was out of country, while the others were reportedly not ready yet.
All of the ICT prosecutors were hopeful of getting nominations from Awami League, because they considered themselves to have carried out their respective roles, as well as being involved with the party’s politics for a long time.
