AL candidate’s nomination for Cox’s Bazar-1 rejected over loan default

The nomination papers of Awami League candidate for Cox’s Bazar-1 (Chakaria-Pekua) constituency, Salahuddin Ahmed, have been rejected due to him defaulting on a loan.

District Returning Officer and Deputy Commissioner Md Shahin Imran rejected Salahuddin’s nomination paper around 10 am on Sunday, reports UNB.

According to the district returning officer's office, his nomination was cancelled due to him defaulting on a loan worth Tk 470 million.

Salahuddin Ahmed and other directors of ‘Fish Preservers’ secured a loan of approximately Tk 500 million from the Laldighi branch of Janata Bank in Cox's Bazar, using the company as collateral. The loan was later defaulted on.

Despite subsequent changes in the company's board of directors, Salahuddin Ahmed remains a guarantor for the loan as per the bank's terms.

According to the Credit Information Bureau (CIB) report of Bangladesh Bank, Salahuddin Ahmed was a loan defaulter on the day of submission of nomination papers on November 30, which made his nomination invalid according to the law.

While speaking to journalists in this regard, Salahuddin Ahmed said, "Everything regarding the defaulted loan was resolved through the court. I still don't understand why my nomination was rejected. I will appeal to the Election Commission in this regard.”