Eligibility rule clouds Monira’s candidacy

A hard-won government job is turning into an unexpected obstacle for NCP)leader Monira Sharmin. Even after resigning from public service, her eligibility to become a Member of Parliament (MP) is now under threat due to a provision in the Representation of the People Order (RPO), putting her reserved women’s seat nomination in uncertainty.

In Bangladesh, securing a government job requires years of rigorous study and passing multiple stages of competitive examinations. Monira Sharmin went through that process and was appointed as an officer (general) at Bangladesh Krishi Bank in 2023. However, she did not remain in the post for long. Driven by her interest in politics, she resigned from the job in December 2025.

Like many political aspirants, Monira likely envisioned becoming a Member of Parliament one day. That opportunity eventually came, but she now finds herself ineligible—for the moment. Her nomination has been put at risk because she filed her candidacy before completing the mandatory three-year gap after resigning from government service.

According to the RPO, anyone who resigns from or retires from a government or statutory public position cannot contest parliamentary elections unless three years have passed since leaving service. The Election Commission has clarified that this rule also applies to reserved women’s seats.

Monira Sharmin, who is a joint convener of the NCP and a candidate under the Jamaat-led alliance, resigned from Krishi Bank only four months ago. Under the law, a minimum of 36 months must pass after resignation before a person becomes eligible to contest.

As a result, during the scrutiny of nomination papers at the Election Commission office in Agargaon, Dhaka on Wednesday (April 22), officials kept her candidacy “pending.” She has been instructed to submit necessary documents by 12 noon on Thursday.

Following the scrutiny process, Returning Officer and EC Joint Secretary Moin Uddin Khan said, “Out of 13 nomination papers, 12 have been declared valid. One nomination remains pending for decision.”

He also noted that Monira has been given an opportunity to defend her case, as her submitted documents included references to the government pay scale.

Monira has urged authorities to consider the matter from a humanitarian perspective rather than a strictly technical legal interpretation, as her political future now hinges on the interpretation of the rule.