Jamaat Candidate Disqualified Over Dual Citizenship Row

The electoral aspirations of Mahbubul Alam Salehi, the Jamaat-e-Islami nominee for the Kurigram-3 (Ulipur) constituency, have met a significant hurdle following the formal cancellation of his nomination papers. On Sunday, the District Returning Officer declared the candidacy void after Mr Salehi failed to provide definitive legal evidence that he had renounced his British citizenship. Despite being granted an administrative extension to settle the matter, the lack of verifiable documentation regarding his status in the United Kingdom led to his disqualification under existing electoral regulations.

The controversy initially surfaced during a scrutiny session last Friday, where authorities flagged the candidate’s dual nationality. Abu Bakr Siddiq, the Assistant Commissioner and acting officer of the control room, confirmed that the decision was finalised when the deadline for proof of renunciation passed without the necessary certificates being produced. This legal requirement is a cornerstone of parliamentary eligibility, ensuring that candidates owe their sole allegiance to the state.

The announcement triggered immediate friction at the District Commissioner’s office, where between 200 and 250 party activists gathered to protest the ruling. Inside the conference hall, tensions boiled over as Jamaat representatives engaged in a spirited and often heated verbal confrontation with administration officials. Security remained high as the crowd expressed their grievances, arguing that the disqualification was a targeted political manoeuvre.

Mr Salehi later addressed the media, expressing his deep dissatisfaction with the proceedings. He contended that the District Commissioner had summoned him but denied him a genuine window to furnish the required paperwork. He characterised the move as “fanciful” and suggested it was the result of external pressures or a hidden agenda aimed at sidelining his candidacy. While the District Returning Officer, Annapurna Debnath, was unavailable for immediate comment, administrative officials have pointed out that the legal process was followed strictly. They further noted that the door is not entirely closed; Mr Salehi retains the right to lodge a formal appeal with the Election Commission to contest the disqualification within the prescribed period.

Candidate Nomination and Disqualification Summary