Monira Sharmin given 21 hours to respond

The Election Commission (EC) has declared valid the nominations of 12 out of 13 candidates from a Jamaat-supported alliance for reserved women’s seats in the National Parliament. However, it has suspended the nomination of NCP candidate Monira Sharmin due to unclear information regarding the timing of her resignation from government service and related details. The commission has given her until 12 noon tomorrow to present necessary explanations and supporting documents.

The scrutiny process was conducted on Wednesday from 2:00 pm at the Election Commission auditorium in the Election Building by Returning Officer Md. Moin Uddin Khan. Officials reviewed candidates’ affidavits, educational qualifications, loan defaulter status, and legal records during the verification process.

Following the scrutiny, the Returning Officer said that 12 of the 13 candidates from the Jamaat-backed alliance were initially declared valid based on submitted documents. However, Monira Sharmin’s nomination was kept suspended due to inconsistencies and lack of clarity in certain information.

In response, NCP spokesperson Asif Mahmud Sajeeb Bhuiyan said Monira Sharmin still has the option to appeal or file a writ petition against the suspension. He added that the issue can be resolved through due legal process.

He further said, “The three-year restriction related to government service in Monira Sharmin’s case is not as complex as issues like loan default or foreign citizenship. Still, we respect the Election Commission’s decision.”