BNP starts nomination form sale with Khaleda

Three nomination forms were collected for BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia as the party today started selling nomination papers for the aspirants seeking to contest the 11th parliamentary election.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Vice Chairman Abdul Awal Mintoo, and Standing Committee members Mirza Abbas and Nazrul Islam Khan collected the nominations on behalf of Khaleda for Feni-1 and Bogura Sadar and Bogura-7.

Outside BNP's central office in Nayapaltan, supporters and activists flock to cheer their election candidate aspirants as BNP began sale of nomination forms on November 12, 2018. Photo: Amran Hossain/Star

They collected the forms from the party’s Nayapaltan central office around 11:00am, Rizvi told The Daily Star.

The party is selling its nomination forms at Tk 30,000.

Outside BNP's central office in Nayapaltan, supporters and activists flock to cheer their election candidate aspirants as BNP began sale of nomination forms on November 12, 2018. Photo: Mohammad Al Masum Molla

WHEN IS THE ELECTION?

The Election Commission announced the election schedule on November 8.

According to the date, the national election – the 11th Jatiya Sangsad polls – will be held on December 23.

According to the schedule, the last date for filing nomination papers for candidacy is November 19. The returning officers will scrutinise the nomination papers on November 22 while the last date for withdrawing candidacy is November 29.

IS EVERYONE PARTICIPATING?

Chief Election Commissioner has said that there is a congenial atmosphere in the country – echoing the words of the ruling party.

However, major opposition alliances like the Jatiya Oikyafront, which includes BNP, and the Bikalpa Dhara-led Juktafront have sought for delaying the schedule.

Until thus far, it seems that the coming parliamentary election will not be the “non-participatory election” that was its predecessor.

All the major political parties are gearing up to contest in the election and there has been no threats of a boycott or withdrawal unlike the last time.

WHY KHALEDA IS IN JAIL?

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia is in jail since February 23.

She landed in jail over Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case, where she was initially given a five-year term, and later an extended 10-year-term following appeal.

Khaleda also stands convicted in Zia Charitable Trust corruption case, where she has been given seven years in imprisonment.