Khaleda may appeal to HC against rejection of candidature

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia may file an appeal to the High Court challenging rejection of her appeals by the Election Commission.

Pro-BNP lawyer Advocate Khandker Mahbub Uddin Khokhon said this after the EC dismissed all the four appeals of Khaleda filed against the rejection of her nominations for Feni-1, Bogura-6 and Bogura-7 constituencies this evening.

“We will examine the legal base whether we can go to the High court. If we are convinced, we will appeal to the High Court challenging the rejection of her candidature by the EC,” told the reporters.

“We hope the HC will declare her candidature valid,” he said.

Khaleda filed the appeals with the EC after returning officers rejected her nomination papers for Feni-1, Bogura-6 and Bogura-7 constituencies during scrutiny.

“The concerned returning officers rejected her candidature due to a violation of section 12/1 (Gha) of RPO which is related to the electoral offence. However, the BNP chairperson being in jail has in no way violated the electoral code of conduct. Therefore, the rejection of her candidature is not valid,” Khokhon argued.

“The EC is being whimsical regarding Khaleda Zia’s nomination,” he alleged.