EC to Comply with High Court Order Regarding Nusrat Tabassum’s Candidacy

The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh has formally announced its intention to comply with a High Court directive to accept the nomination paper of Nusrat Tabassum, a prominent leader of the Nationalist Conservative Party (NCP). The legal challenge pertains to her candidacy for the reserved women’s seats in the upcoming 13th National Parliament elections.

In a significant development, the Commission has confirmed that it will not seek to challenge the judiciary’s decision, opting instead to forgo an appeal in the higher courts.

Judicial Intervention and Commission Response

On the evening of Monday, 27 April 2026, Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud clarified the EC’s position during an interview with a private television channel. He stated that although the Commission has not yet received the formal, certified copy of the High Court’s full written judgment, the executive decision has been made to respect and implement the ruling once the documentation is finalised.

“We are yet to receive the full text of the court’s directive. Upon receipt, we shall take the necessary steps as per the instructions. The Commission has decided not to pursue an appeal against this order,” Commissioner Masud affirmed.

The ruling was delivered earlier that day by a High Court bench comprising Mr Justice Ahmed Sohel and Mrs Justice Fatema Anwar. The bench found in favour of the petitioner, directing the regulatory body to facilitate her participation in the electoral process.

Chronology of the Dispute

The contention began during the initial nomination phase for the reserved women’s seats. According to the official schedule released by the Election Commission, the deadline for the submission of nomination papers was 21 April 2026, at 4:00 pm.

Nusrat Tabassum arrived at the Commission to file her documents but completed the submission at 4:19 pm—precisely 19 minutes after the stipulated cut-off time. Following a primary scrutiny conducted on 22 April, the EC officially cancelled her nomination on the grounds of non-compliance with the established timeframes.

Asserting that the minor delay did not warrant disqualification, Nusrat Tabassum filed a writ petition with the High Court to challenge the EC’s decision and regain her eligibility. The subsequent judicial review focused on the balance between administrative rigidity and the democratic right to contest elections, ultimately resulting in the order to reinstate her candidacy.

Context of the 13th Parliament Reserved Seat Elections

The election for the reserved women’s seats in the 13th National Parliament is scheduled to take place on 12 May 2026. These seats are allocated to political parties based on their proportional representation in the general seats of the Parliament.

As an NCP leader, Nusrat Tabassum’s inclusion in the race is seen as a pivotal move for her party’s representation. The Election Commission’s decision not to appeal is expected to expedite the finalisation of the candidate list, as the statutory period for withdrawals and the allocation of symbols approaches.

Administrative Implications

The EC’s shift from strict enforcement of the 4:00 pm deadline to an acceptance of the court-ordered nomination marks a notable instance of judicial oversight in electoral administration. By choosing not to appeal, the Commission avoids a protracted legal battle in the Appellate Division, which could have potentially disrupted the election timeline.

Following the receipt of the full High Court verdict, the Returning Officer will formally validate Nusrat Tabassum’s nomination, allowing her to proceed with the remaining phases of the electoral campaign alongside other validated candidates. This ensures that the NCP’s involvement in the reserved seat contest remains intact, adhering to the updated roster for the mid-May polls.