Substitute candidates will contest polls from Khaleda’s seats: Salahuddin

BNP’s substitute candidates in late chairperson Khaleda Zia’s three constituencies will contest the national elections in her absence after passing the Election Commission’s scrutiny, said the party’s Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed on Thursday.

The former three-time prime minister was set to contest from Feni-1, Bogura-7 and Dinajpur-3, but owing to her critical illness, BNP had prepared substitute candidates in advance, Salahuddin told reporters at the party Chairperson’s Gulshan Office.

Following Khaleda’s demise, Rafikul Alam Maznu will represent BNP in the 12 February elections from Feni-1, Morshed Alam from Bogura-7 and Syed Jahangir Alam from Dinajpur-3. 

The three candidates have already submitted their nomination papers to the Election Commission, and are awaiting final approval following a scrutiny. “If their submitted papers are found to be legitimate, they would get to run with BNP’s tickets,” said Salahuddin.

Khaleda Zia’s candidature will be scrapped by default, he added.

In this backdrop, there is no scope to cancel or defer the elections scheduled for 12 February, Salahuddin added. It would have been difficult had Khaleda died after the scrutiny of nomination papers. However, as she has died before the start of EC’s scrutiny, her candidature can be easily cancelled.