The nomination of former APS and ex-adviser on Youth and Sports, Moyazzem Hossain, has been officially annulled after it was discovered that he had submitted a forged signature of a deceased voter with his candidacy papers. Moyazzem, an independent candidate for Magura-2 constituency, had previously served as one of the coordinators of the July Movement.
On Saturday, 3 January, the District Returning Officer (DRO), in coordination with the Magura District Commissioner’s Office, conducted a verification process for all nominations submitted for Magura-1 and Magura-2 constituencies. Following this review, Moyazzem Hossain’s nomination was invalidated due to multiple discrepancies.
The District Commissioner, Abdullah Al Mahmud, explained that, according to the Representation of the People Order (RPO), an independent candidate must submit a list of voters comprising 1% of the constituency’s electorate who endorse the nomination with their signatures. Moyazzem had submitted the required list, which was subsequently sent to the Election Commission for verification. A random sample of 10 voters was selected, revealing significant irregularities:
| Verified Voter Status | Number of Voters | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Deceased | 1 | Signature of a dead voter found |
| Did not sign | 7 | Signatures absent despite submission |
| Non-existent voter | 1 | Voter could not be identified |
| Correct signature | 1 | Signature verified |
In addition to the fraudulent voter signatures, Moyazzem had claimed in his affidavit that he held a Master’s degree. However, he failed to submit the corresponding academic certificate, which was another ground for disqualification, confirmed the DRO.
In Magura-2, a total of five candidates filed nominations. Alongside Moyazzem Hossain, National Party candidate Moshiya Rahman also had her candidacy cancelled due to an incomplete affidavit.
Meanwhile, in Magura-1, ten candidates submitted nominations. Independent candidate Kutubullah Hossain was disqualified for submitting signatures from only 4,100 voters instead of the required 4,308, and due to allegations of defaulting on loans. Another candidate, Dr. Mizanur Rahman, General Secretary of the Ganoforum Central Committee, had his nomination cancelled for failing to submit his income tax returns.
The verification process underscores the Election Commission’s commitment to maintaining integrity in the electoral process, ensuring that candidates meet all legal requirements and that fraudulent practices are swiftly addressed.
