For all latest news, follow The Financial Express Google News channel.
The nomination of NCP Joint Convenor Monira Sharmin for the reserved women’s seats in the 13th parliament has been rejected on the grounds that three years have not passed since she held a job at a bank.
Returning Officer and Election Commission (EC) Joint Secretary Moin Uddin Khan announced the decision on Thursday after scrutinising the nomination papers submitted by the Jamaat-e-Islami-led 11-Party Alliance for the reserved women’s seats.
He said the nomination was rejected as the required three-year gap after leaving public service had not been met.
Assistant Returning Officer and EC Deputy Secretary Monir Hossain said the returning officer’s decision can be challenged at the commission.
“After the seat is vacated, it is free to all parties and alliances,” he said.
The Jamaat alliance submitted nomination papers for 13 reserved seats.
On Wednesday, the nominations of 12 were declared valid, while Monira’s was left undecided.
Returning Officer Moin had cited provisions of the Representation of the People Order, noting that documents submitted by Monira indicated she received a government salary, and she was asked to explain her position before the Thursday noon deadline.
Monira became joint convener of the NCP in March 2025. She joined Bangladesh Krishi Bank as an officer (general) in November 2023 and left the job two years later in December.
According to Section 12 (1) (f) of the Representation of the People Order, a person will be ineligible to be elected as a member of parliament if he or she “has resigned or retired from the service of the Republic or of any statutory public authority or of the defence service, unless a period of three years has elapsed since the date of his resignation or retirement”.
According to the election schedule, the nomination papers are being scrutinised on Wednesday and Thursday. The last date for withdrawal of candidacies is Apr 29 following the settlement of any appeals. The election date has been fixed for May 12.
After the decision, Monira claimed her nomination was rejected despite presenting the necessary documents.
She said she will appeal against the decision of the returning officer at the advice of a lawyer.
Her lawyer Nazmus Shakib said, "We will appeal to the Election Commission to restore her candidacy by Sunday. We hope she will regain her candidacy. She became a nominee with clear knowledge of the situation."