SC allows 10 candidates of Gonotantri Party to contest national polls

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the Election Commission (EC) to allow 10 candidates from two factions of Gonotantri Party, a member of Awami League-led 14-party alliance, to contest the January 7 parliamentary elections.

Chamber Judge of the Appellate Division of the SC Justice M Enayetur passed the order following two separate petitions involving this issue. The apex court Chamber Judge also ordered the EC to allocate the same symbol for the candidates of Gonotantri Party, said Barrister Ashfaqur Rahman who appeared in the court hearing on behalf of the EC.

One of the petitions was filed by the Election Commission (EC) challenging a High Court order that stayed the EC's decision of cancelling the candidatures of all Gonotantri Party aspirants on December 18.

In the same order, the HC directed the EC to allow seven candidates nominated by Gonotantri Party's faction led by Barrister Md Arash Ali to contest the election.

Another petition was submitted by Shahadat Hossain, leader of another faction of Gonotantri Party, seeking permission from the SC for its three candidates to contest the election.

Md Arash Ali-nominated candidates are--- Bhupendra Chandra Bhoumick (Kishoreganj-1), Md Ashraf Ali (Kishoreganj-2), Delwar Hossain Bhuiyan (Kishoreganj-3), Md Mozzammel Hossain Bhuiyan (Nilphamiari-3), Mihir Ranjan Das (Sunamganj-2), Md Khairul Alam (Pabna-3) and Md Matiur Rahman (Khulna-2).

Shahadat Hossain-nominated candidates are--- Shahadat Hossain (Dhaka-8, Monjurul Islam (Bogura-4) and Hafizur Rahman Mintu (Dhaka-5).

Lawyer Momtazuddin Fakir who appeared in the court hearing on behalf of Md Arash Ali and others said the EC on December 12 cancelled the candidatures of the party's aspirants on some grounds.

EC noticed this decision through a letter signed by Mahbub Alam Shah, Deputy Secretary of the Election Commission, said the lawyer.

Challenging the EC decision, the candidates of the Gonotantri Party filed a writ petition with the High Court. Upon hearing on the petition the High Court stayed the EC’s decision of cancelling the candidatures of all Gonotantri Party aspirants.

Later, the EC filed a petition with the Appellate Division against the High Court order. Another petition was filed by Shahadat Hossain, leader of another faction of Gonotantri Party, seeking permission from the SC for its three candidates.

The Gonotantri Party, a member of the 14-party alliance, is currently divided into two. Two groups of the party submitted separate committees to the EC.

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