Dhaka – The nomination of Dr Tasnime Zara, former senior leader of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and independent candidate for the Dhaka-9 parliamentary constituency, has been officially annulled. On Saturday, 3 December, at approximately 11:30 a.m., the Dhaka District Returning Officer declared her candidature invalid.
Speaking after the announcement, Dr Zara stated, “I will appeal this decision. The process has already begun, and we are confident of a fair review.”
The Election Commission reportedly cited a procedural issue as the reason for the rejection. According to electoral regulations, independent candidates must submit signatures from at least 1% of registered voters in the relevant constituency. Dr Zara asserts that she submitted around 200 more signatures than the required minimum. During the verification process, the Election Commission cross-checked the details of ten signatories. Eight were confirmed as valid Dhaka-9 voters, while two were technically outside the constituency boundaries.
Dr Zara claims the two signatories had no realistic way of knowing they were ineligible, as their addresses fall within Khilgaon, which overlaps partially with another parliamentary seat. “These individuals believed they were eligible Dhaka-9 voters when they signed the documents. One even possesses a national ID confirming her registration in Dhaka-9. Yet the Commission considers her ineligible,” she said.
Earlier, on 27 December, Dr Zara resigned from her position as Senior Joint Secretary-General of the NCP. In a public Facebook statement that evening, she confirmed her intention to contest the election as an independent candidate, rather than representing any party or coalition.
Summary of Signature Verification
| Total Signatures Submitted | Minimum Required (1%) | Verified Valid | Invalid / Outside Constituency | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ~1,200 | ~1,000 | 8 | 2 | One signatory’s ID indicates Dhaka-9 registration |
The cancellation of Dr Zara’s nomination has sparked discussions among political observers regarding procedural strictness and the challenges faced by independent candidates in navigating complex electoral requirements. Political analysts note that disputes over voter verification, especially in overlapping areas such as Khilgaon, have frequently led to legal challenges in Bangladesh’s elections.
As Dr Zara pursues her appeal, attention now turns to whether the Election Commission will reconsider its decision or uphold the annulment, potentially altering the dynamics of the Dhaka-9 race.
