AL candidate for Dhaka 14 by-polls likely to be elected unopposed

Aga Khan Mintu, Awami League's nominee for the Dhaka 14 by-polls, is likely to be elected unopposed.

Assistant Returning Officer Mohammad Shahjalal said three candidates -- Jatiya Party nominated Mostakur Rahman, Jatiyo Samajtantrik Dal (Inu) nominated Abu Hanif and Bangladesh Nationalist Front nominated AYM Kamrul Islam -- withdrew their candidatures today.

The three candidates cited Covid-19 as the reason for withdrawal, said an official of the returning office.

Shahjalal said earlier that the returning office cancelled nominations of two independent candidates Mohammad Moniruzzman and Ruhul Amin Sarkar.

Moniruzzaman's nomination was cancelled because he submitted signatures of four persons who were not voters of the Dhaka 14 constituency, while Ruhul Amin had submitted incomplete nomination forms.

According to the Representation of the People Order, 1972, it is compulsory for independent candidates to submit signatures of one percent of the total voters in their constituency along their applications.

Moniruzzaman appealed to the Election Commission against ROs' decision to cancel his nomination paper and the EC upheld the ROs' decision after a hearing, said Shahjalal.

Shahjalal also said the last date of withdrawal of candidature was June 24 and they would take further decisions regarding the issue after that.