Aslam Chowdhury cleared to contest Chattogram-4

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled that BNP candidate for the Chattogram-4 constituency Aslam Chowdhury can contest the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election.

However, the Appellate Division ordered that the election result of Aslam Chowdhury will remain pending until the appeal is disposed of.

The order was passed by the Appellate Division led by the Chief Justice on Tuesday (3 February) following a petition filed by Jamuna Bank. Lawyer Md Mujibur Rahman confirmed the development.

Earlier, on 1 February, the hearing concluded on the bank’s appeal challenging the Election Commission’s decision to declare Aslam Chowdhury’s nomination valid despite allegations that he is a loan defaulter. Jamuna Bank had challenged the decision after the High Court dismissed its writ petition against the Election Commission’s ruling.

The Election Commission had declared Aslam Chowdhury’s nomination valid on 18 January, the final day of its appeal hearings. On that day, Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud remarked that the nomination was being approved and advised the candidate to repay the bank loan, warning that failure to do so could trigger public resentment.

During the hearing before the Election Commission, BNP central election committee member Barrister Md Ruhul Quddus Kajal represented Aslam Chowdhury. Meanwhile, Barrister Shahriar Kabir, counsel for Jamaat-nominated candidate Md Anwar Siddiq, argued that Aslam Chowdhury was a convicted individual and that upholding his candidacy was contrary to the principles of justice.