NCP moves to legal battle to retain seat

After negotiations, the National Citizen Party (NCP) secured two reserved women’s seats, but legal complications have put one of them at risk. To retain the seat, the party now plans to challenge the decision in court and launch a legal battle.

As part of the alliance arrangement, Jamaat-e-Islami allocated one seat to the NCP. For that seat, Dr Mahmuda Mitu, joint chief organizer (south) of the NCP, received the nomination.

Based on proportional allocation, the party also received another reserved women’s seat in parliament. Nominations were submitted by Monira Sharmin and Nusrat Tabassum for that seat, but neither was declared valid after scrutiny.

As a result, the alliance faces the risk of losing that seat. If it is lost, only one NCP representative will remain in the reserved women’s seats. The other seat, secured through negotiations with allies, would also slip away. The party’s current priority, therefore, is to fight legally to retain the seat.

In March 2025, Monira Sharmin assumed the role of joint convener of the NCP. At the time she began her political responsibilities, she was still serving in government employment. She had joined the Bangladesh Krishi Bank as an Officer (General) in November 2023 and resigned from the post two years later in December.

However, under the Government Service Conduct Rules, a public servant cannot simultaneously hold a government job and engage in politics, as it constitutes a disciplinary offence. A similar restriction exists in the Bangladesh Krishi Bank’s own service regulations.

The rules clearly state that no officer or employee of the bank can take part in political activities, nor can they participate in elections or election campaigns. Monira Sharmin, however, was involved in such activities. After resigning in December, she also made efforts to contest for a reserved women’s seat in parliament in April the following year, but the process was ultimately halted.

Reacting to the rejection of her nomination, Monira Sharmin said she would file an appeal against the returning officer’s decision after consulting her lawyer. Her counsel, Nazmus Sakib, also confirmed that they would file an appeal with the Election Commission on Sunday.

Both expressed optimism about regaining her candidature.

Meanwhile, the nomination of another NCP candidate, Nusrat Tabassum, has also faced complications. Her nomination paper was submitted at 4:19 pm on April 21, after the deadline. The Election Commission did not accept it, as rules do not allow applications submitted after the stipulated time.

Despite these procedural setbacks, NCP leaders have not given up. The party has decided to provide full legal support to both candidates.

NCP Joint Member Secretary (Office) Saleh Uddin Sifat told Agamir Shomoy that Monira’s case would be taken to the Election Commission tribunal. However, since there is no tribunal appeal option for Nusrat, she will have to file a writ petition directly with the High Court. If the court issues an order, the Election Commission will review her nomination and take a decision accordingly. “This seat will remain with the NCP. We are ready for the legal battle,” he said.

The development has raised concerns that one reserved women’s seat allocated to the Jamaat-led alliance could be reduced. A fresh election for the seat could potentially benefit the ruling BNP-led alliance.

When asked what would happen if the seat remains vacant, Assistant Returning Officer and EC Deputy Secretary Md. Monir Hossain said, “If any seat remains vacant within the stipulated time, it will later become open. Under the National Parliament (Reserved Women’s Seats) Election Act, 2004, all alliances will then get the opportunity to contest the election for that seat.”

According to the Election Commission schedule, elections for reserved women’s seats will be held on May 12. Scrutiny will end on April 23, while withdrawal of nominations will be allowed until April 29. The appeal hearing is scheduled for April 26, with decisions to be made on April 27 and 28.