Election Commission (EC) cancelled the nomination paper of Krishak Sramik Janata League President Kader Siddiqui yesterday for Tangail-8 (Basail-Sakhipur) by-poll on the allegation of loan default.
The EC also cancelled the nomination paper of Kazi Ashraf Siddique of Jatiya Party (Ershad) on the same charges.
Returning officer of by-polls, regional election officer (Mymensingh) Syed Khurshid Anwar confirmed the matter to the journalist.
Jatiya Party (Manju) candidate Sadek Siddique was also declared ineligible to contest the Tangail by-poll for not having his signature in the affidavit.
Khurshid said: “According to the report of Credit Information Bureau of Bangladesh Bank, Kader Siddiqui took loan from Tangail branch of Agrani Bank as a chairman of his own organisation-Sonar Bangla Prokaushali Songstha.”
“But, he did not pay back loan after years and became loan defaulter.
So, his nomination paper was cancelled. Kader Siddiqui can appeal to the EC within next three days,” said Khurshid.
When contacted, Kader Siddique said: “I will take legal steps against the decision of the EC.”
Responding to a query of his participation in the by-polls and boycott of national polls held on January 5, he said: “I boycotted the national polls. But it is a by-election. I submitted my nomination paper as a part of my movement.”
The parliamentary seat fell vacant after AL lawmaker Shawkat Momen Shajahan died on January 20.
The EC delayed the by-polls which was scheduled on March 23 for five days. The by-election will be held on March 29.
The last day of nomination paper submission was February 23 while the last date for withdrawal of the nomination papers is March 6.
The supporters of Kader Siddiqui organised a blockade programme at Basail Bus Stand which continued from 12.30pm to 1.30pm.
Vehicles plying from different areas to Basail, Sakhipur, Mirzapur of Tangail and Valuka, Trishal, Phulbaria of Mymensingh struck in long tail back in the wake of the protest.
