The returning officer has cancelled the nomination of NCP leader Monira Sharmin, a candidate from the Jamaat-led alliance, in the election to the reserved women’s seats in Parliament, while declaring the remaining 49 nominations valid.
Returning Officer Moin Uddin Khan announced the cancellation of his nomination after scrutinizing the nomination papers at the election building in the city's Agargaon area on Thursday (April 23).
Monira Sharmin said she would file an appeal petition, seeking the overturning of the decision of the returning officer.
There are 50 reserved women’s seats in the Parliament. Based on proportional representation in the Parliament, the BNP-led alliance has been allotted 36 seats, the Jamaat-led alliance 13, and independent candidates one seat.
Accordingly, the alliances had nominated an equal number of candidates against their allotted seats.
If the cancellation of Sharmin’s nomination is upheld during the appeal hearing, the seat will become open to all parties, said the Election Commission officials.
Explaining the decision, the returning officer said Sharmin’s nomination was rejected under Article 12(c) of the Representation of the People Order (RPO), 1972.
The law requires a minimum three-year gap after resignation or retirement from a statutory public authority before a person can contest elections.
Sharmin had joined Bangladesh Krishi Bank on November 11, 2023, and resigned in December 2025 after entering politics. As the required three-year period had not elapsed, her nomination was deemed invalid.
MSH
