Mahbuba Hakim, a Member of Parliament representing a reserved seat for women and the niece of Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis Amir Mamunul Haq, faces potential legal scrutiny and disqualification after significant discrepancies surfaced in her official election affidavit. The affidavit submitted to the Election Commission explicitly listed her highest educational qualification as ‘LLM, Barrister-at-Law’. However, official institutional records and her own subsequent admissions confirm that her actual academic background lies in engineering, having completed a Bachelor of Science in Textile Engineering from the Bangladesh University of Textiles (BUTEX). She has since acknowledged holding no higher qualification or professional training in law.
The controversy erupted after copies of the nomination papers and sworn statements submitted during the reserved seat election process became public. Under the Representation of the People Order (RPO) and statutory electoral regulations, candidates are legally obligated to provide completely truthful, precise, and verified information regarding their educational background, financial assets, and criminal records. Presenting false information, fabricated qualifications, or misleading declarations on a sworn affidavit constitutes a severe breach of electoral law, which carries direct consequences, including immediate disqualification, the revocation of parliamentary membership, and potential criminal prosecution for perjury.
The revelation has ignited intense debate within political and legal circles regarding strict compliance with constitutional standards for lawmakers. Legal experts point out that accuracy in affidavits is a cornerstone of democratic accountability, making any misrepresentation a serious vulnerability for an incumbent representative. Addressing the matter on Tuesday, 22 September, Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud informed reporters that if a formal petition or written complaint is lodged against Mahbuba Hakim, the Election Commission will review the issue meticulously in accordance with existing law. The Commission reiterated its commitment to examining any formal allegations of false statements in nomination papers through proper legal channels before determining the appropriate course of action.
