The Election Commission (EC), in line with the court order, has reinstated BNP Joint Secretary General Aslam Chowdhury's candidacy for Chattogrma-4 (Sitakunda).

Aslam's name is being displayed as a candidate with electoral symbol “sheaf of paddy” on the EC website since Friday.

Earlier, the returning officer (RO) of the constituency cancelled Aslam's candidacy on loan default ground, said sources at the EC, adding that his appeal against the RO's decision was also turned down by the EC.

Aslam later filed an appeal with the court, seeking reinstatement of his candidacy.

After his nomination paper was rejected, BNP allocated its nomination for the constituency to Aslam's brother Ishaque Quader Chowdhury, who campaigned in the area as a candidate of BNP-dominated Jatiya Oikyafront.

Both Aslam and Ishaque had earlier submitted nomination papers with BNP as candidates of the same constituency.

Ishaque said after his brother's candidacy was reinstated, he has already submitted a no objection certificate to the RO in this regard.  

Contacted, Milton Roy, assistant returning officer of Chattogram-4, said name of Aslam as a candidate with “sheaf of paddy” symbol has been included after they received Ishaque's NOC and “the candidacy of Ishaque has been cancelled.”

Aslam Chowdhury is currently in jail.