The nomination of Monira Sharmin, joint convener of the National Citizen Party (NCP), has been cancelled for a reserved women’s seat in Bangladesh’s 13th Jatiya Sangsad.
The decision was announced on Thursday, 23 April, by Returning Officer and Election Commission Joint Secretary Moin Uddin Khan after scrutiny of nomination papers. He said her candidacy was rejected because she did not meet the mandatory three-year gap required after leaving government service.
Documents submitted by Sharmin showed her association with the government pay scale, prompting officials to seek clarification before making a final decision.
Assistant Returning Officer and Election Commission Deputy Secretary Monir Hossain said there remains an opportunity to appeal. He added that the seat will remain open to all parties and alliances once it becomes vacant.
Sharmin, who was backed by the Jamaat-e-Islami-led alliance, was among 13 candidates who submitted nomination papers for the reserved seat. Of these, 12 were declared valid during scrutiny on Wednesday, 22 April, while a decision on her candidacy was deferred until the following day.
She joined Bangladesh Krishi Bank as an officer in November 2023 and resigned in December 2025. She later became joint convener of the NCP in March 2025.
Under Section 12(1)(f) of the Representation of the People Order, a person is ineligible to contest parliamentary elections if three years have not passed since their resignation or retirement from government or statutory service.
Following the parliamentary elections held on 12 February, the Election Commission, led by Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin, announced the schedule for reserved women’s seats on 8 April.
Appeals against returning officers’ decisions can be filed on 26 April, with rulings due between 27 and 28 April. The deadline for withdrawal of candidature is 29 April; symbol allocation will take place on 30 April, and voting is scheduled for 12 May.
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