Bangladesh’s High Court has summarily dismissed a writ petition filed by BNP candidate Monzurul Ahsan Munshi, who sought to regain his candidature for the Comilla-4 constituency after the Election Commission declared his nomination invalid.
A division bench comprising Justice Razik-Al-Jalil and Justice Md Anowarul Islam passed the order on Wednesday, rejecting the petition challenging the Election Commission’s decision to cancel Munshi’s nomination paper.
Senior advocates Ahsanul Karim and Barrister Md Ruhul Quddus Kazal represented Munshi during the hearing, while senior advocates Salahuddin Dolon and Mamun Mahbub appeared on behalf of the Election Commission.
Munshi’s nomination paper had initially been declared valid by the returning officer during the scrutiny process. However, Hasnat Abdullah, a candidate of the National Citizen Party in the same constituency, later filed an appeal with the Election Commission contesting that decision.
Following the appeal, the Election Commission on 17 January overturned the returning officer’s ruling, citing allegations that Munshi was a loan defaulter, and declared his nomination paper invalid.
Challenging the Election Commission’s verdict, Munshi subsequently moved the High Court, arguing that the decision was unlawful and seeking restoration of his candidature. The court, however, declined to intervene and summarily rejected the writ.
The ruling means Munshi will remain disqualified from contesting the Comilla-4 seat, as the Election Commission’s decision stands ahead of the upcoming polls.
