Tasnim Jara, Jamaat’s Azad among 51 regain candidacy

The Election Commission (EC) on Saturday restored the candidacies of 51 parliamentary aspirants while cancelling the nomination of one independent candidate, following hearings on appeal petitions challenging returning officers’ decisions during scrutiny.
The decisions were taken after the first day of appeal hearings, presided over by Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin at the Election Commission Secretariat in Agargaon. 
Among those whose nominations were reinstated were independent candidate Tasnim Jara from Dhaka-9 and Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant Secretary General AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad from Cox’s Bazar-2.
Briefing reporters after the hearings, EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said, “A total of 52 appeal petitions were accepted, while 15 were rejected and three remain pending.”
Of the 52 appeals granted, 51 were against the cancellation of nomination papers, while one was upheld against the acceptance of a nomination. 
The latter was filed by BNP candidate MA Hannan of Brahmanbaria-1, challenging the validity of an independent candidate’s nomination in the constituency.
As a result, the EC cancelled the nomination of independent candidate SAK Ekramuzzaman in Brahmanbaria-1, ruling that his previously accepted nomination paper would now be deemed invalid.
Hearings on appeal petitions numbered 71-140 are scheduled for Sunday from 10am to 5pm at the Election Building auditorium in Agargaon.
Party-wise breakdown
Among those who regained candidacy on Saturday were 13 independents, one Jamaat-e-Islami candidate, 12 from the Jatiya Party, one from Islami Oikya Jote, two from the Bangladesh Supreme Party, five from Khelafat Majlis, four from Islami Andolan Bangladesh, one from Bangladesh Jatiyo Samajtantrik Dal, one from Bangladesh Congress, one from the Biplobi Workers Party, one BNP candidate, two from JAGPA, one from Bangladesh Islami Front, one from the AB Party, one from Bangladesh Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (Jasod), two from Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal (BaSaD), and one from Insaniyat Biplob Bangladesh.
In total, 645 aspirants filed appeals with the EC before Friday’s deadline, most of them contesting the rejection of their nomination papers during scrutiny. The commission is set to hear and dispose of all appeals by 18 January.
Tasnim Jara’s nomination reinstated
The EC reinstated the nomination of independent Dhaka-9 candidate Tasnim Jara, a former senior joint member secretary of the National Citizen Party (NCP), after her nomination was rejected during initial scrutiny.
Speaking to journalists after the appeal hearing, she said, “Our appeal to the Election Commission has been accepted. The nomination paper that I submitted as an independent candidate for the Dhaka-9 constituency has been declared valid.”
Describing the past week as emotionally intense, she added, “Over the past week, I have gone through a very different kind of experience. People both at home and abroad have sent a lot of good wishes and prayers. When I spoke to people on the streets, many expressed disappointment and sadness and said they were praying for me. I thank them all.”
On her preferred election symbol, she said, “Now, as an independent candidate, we will be able to apply for an election symbol. We will apply for our preferred symbol, the football. After that, the Election Commission will decide.”
She also thanked the commission, saying, “I would also like to thank the Election Commission. They listened to our arguments.”
Jamaat leader cleared to contest
The EC also declared valid the nomination of Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant Secretary General AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad, who is contesting from Cox’s Bazar-2 (Moheshkhali–Kutubdia).
His nomination had been cancelled on 2 January due to what officials described as “complications related to a case”. The decision was overturned following an appeal.
After the hearing, Barrister Mahmud Al Mamun Himu told reporters: “Hamidur Rahman Azad’s nomination was cancelled in the selection on 2 January; we appealed against this to the Election Commission. The appeal was granted in the hearing today.”
JaPa warns of instability if polls are unfair
Meanwhile, Jatiya Party (JaPa) Secretary General Shamim Haider Patwary warned that the country could slide into unrest if the election is not conducted fairly.
Speaking to journalists after attending appeal hearings for his party’s candidates, he said, “This vote is necessary for the nation to be fair. If this vote is not fair, there could be a civil war in the country. Political differences could increase and the country’s economy could be destroyed. This vote can save the country if it is fair.”
He added, “The EC is trying to work with sufficient impartiality. We want to see this impartiality of the commission on the ground. ‘Wherever there is a mob there should be resistance’, the government and the Election Commission should follow this policy.”
Calling for broader institutional support, he said, “We want 17 lakh government employees to show the same firmness that the commission is showing.”
Patwary also stressed the need for security forces and the administration to ensure a level playing field. 
Of the 12 appeals filed by JaPa, the EC restored the nominations of 10 candidates on Saturday. He said the party would move the higher court over the remaining two.
JAGPA raises ‘level playing field’ concerns
Jatiya Ganatantrik Party (JAGPA) spokesperson Rashed Prodhan, whose candidacy was restored on appeal, expressed concern about electoral fairness.
He told reporters outside the EC building, “BNP candidates who hold foreign citizenship and loan-defaulter candidates are not being disqualified, while candidates from Jamaat-e-Islami and other parties are having their candidacies cancelled over minor issues. Because of this, concerns have arisen about the existence of a ‘level playing field’ in the election.”
“We are concerned about whether such an environment will continue during the election as well,” he added.
JAGPA President Tasmia Prodhan said Rashed Prodhan’s nomination had initially been cancelled over a minor technical error. 
“The candidacy of JAGPA Vice President and spokesperson Rashed Prodhan was cancelled due to a minor mistake – failing to attach a Tk300 stamp to the affidavit,” she said, adding that the party would contest the polls in Panchagarh-1 and Panchagarh-2 constituencies.
Elections in Pabna-1, Pabna-2 constituencies suspended until further instruction 
Meanwhile, the Election Commission (EC) has decided to suspend the elections in the Pabna-1 and Pabna-2 constituencies until further instructions for the 13th parliamentary election.
This information was disclosed in a letter signed by Mohammad Manir Hossain, deputy secretary of the Election Management-2 Branch of the Election Commission Secretariat.
The letter states, “In light of the Appellate Division’s order dated 5 January 2026 in CMP No. 1105/2025 regarding the boundary demarcation of National Parliamentary Constituency No. 68 Pabna-1 and No. 69 Pabna-2, the Election Commission has decided to suspend the elections of Constituency No. 68 Pabna-1 and No. 69 Pabna-2 of the 13th National Parliamentary Election scheduled for 12 February 2026 until further instructions are issued.”
The letter further requests the deputy commissioner and returning officer of Pabna district to take necessary measures in accordance with the said decision.
Regarding the matter, Senior Secretary of the Election Commission Secretariat Akhtar Ahmed told journalists on Saturday, “The election activities of the Pabna-1 and Pabna-2 constituencies have been suspended.”
The activities of the election is suspended; this is the current situation, said the secretary.