
BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia has been considered unfit for running in eleventh national parliament election following split verdict of Election Commission (EC). Dispute took place in this regard. Though Election Commissioner Mahbub Talukder was for returning the nomination but the other Commissioners including the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) delivered their decision for declaring it as invalid.
After the hearing EC Secretary Helal Uddin Ahmed said that the verdict will be delivered at 5 pm. At 5:30 pm Election Commissioner Mahbub Talukder came to the seat of judges and said, under legal consideration I am delivering my verdict for granting appeal in favor of Khaleda Zia.
At that time a group of people clapped expressing joy. At that moment EC Secretary began to say in loud speaker, this is not full court verdict.
After that Election Commissioner Rafiqul Islam said, I cannot consider appeal of any convicted person. My verdict is- this appeal cannot be granted. It is not granted.
At that time another group of people clapped expressing joy.
Then Election Commissioner Kabita Khanam said, the conviction is reinstated till at present, so far I have observed the speech and spirit of Returning Officers, it was mentioned as convicted. The words that have come according to RPO are mere omission. Not granted as she is convicted.
After presenting the Commissioners’ verdict CEC KM Nurul Huda said, as the Election Commissioners Shahadat Hossain, Kabita Khanam and Rafiqul Islam delivered their speeches upholding the verdict, on pretext of that we four delivered verdict as not granted.
Then the EC Secretary announced, four out of five Election Commissioners have not granted the appeal of Begum Khaleda Zia. As one has granted, so the appeal is declared not granted by four-one votes.
The BNP Chairperson and former three time prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia submitted nomination papers to take part in the eleventh national parliament election from Feni-1, Bogura-6 and Bogura-7 constituencies.
The Returning Officers cancelled the nomination papers of Khaleda Zia on December 2 as she is convicted in Zia Orphanage Trust graft case. Following their decisions she filed appeal to Election Commission to get back her nominations. But her appeal has been rejected. As a result she has to depend on High Court decision to take part in election.
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