Trackback URL
Download PDF The largest ever number of nomination papers were filed yesterday while the two major electoral alliances have yet to disclose the lists of their nominees in 300 constituencies for the January 22 parliamentary election.
Wrapping up the first step of nomination process, the Election Commission (EC) last night disclosed that 4,146 nomination papers were filed.
The number of submitted nominations was 2, 563 in October 2001 election, 3,093 in June 1996, and 3,855 in 1991 election.
In addition to those who got party tickets formally, a large number of leaders of both Awami League (AL) and BNP led electoral alliances filed their nominations either on instructions from party high-commands or on their own as dummy or rebel candidates.
The two major alliances will disclose official lists of their nominees the day before the deadline for withdrawing candidatures on January 2, in an effort to prevent parties’ disgruntled leaders from joining rival camps, and to minimise the chance of a sudden discord erupting among respective allies over seat sharing, sources said.
Political parties or electoral alliances usually disclose lists of their nominees one or two days prior to the last date for filing nomination papers.
Returning Officers (RO) will scrutinise the authenticity of information given by the contenders in their nomination forms and will declare an aspirant either eligible or ineligible for candidacy.
Applicants who will be declared ineligible will get three days to file appeals with the EC to challenge the RO’s decision and the EC will give decisions on the appeals before January 3.
Candidates of the grand electoral alliance comprising AL-led 14-party, Jatiya Party (Ershad), Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), a faction of Islami Oikya Jote, and Islami Front filed their nomination papers for all the 300 constituencies in a festive mood yesterday.
Most of the nominees of BNP-led four-party alliance filed their nominations earlier. Those who had yet to register their names for the race, filed yesterday.
As the two major alliances did not disclose their lists of nominees, many leaders kept continuing hectic lobbying to obtain party tickets even after filing their nomination papers while some nomination papers were submitted as the parties’ dummy candidates for use in cases of emergencies.
Leaders of AL, the major partner of the grand alliance, filed nomination papers for all the 300 constituencies although the alliance allocated only 200 seats for the party leaving 100 seats for its allies.
Apart from the 50 constituencies that were allocated for Jatiya Party by the grand alliance, leaders of the party filed nomination papers for 100 more constituencies.
LDP yesterday said its leaders filed nomination papers for 150 constituencies including the 31 allocated for them under the seat sharing agreement of the grand alliance.
Jatiya Samajtanrik Dal (JSD) claimed that it filed nominations for six constituencies as part of the grand alliance. Besides, some leaders of the party filed nomination papers for 14 other constituencies, just to either withdraw the candidatures or contest later, depending on finalisation of the nominations within the grand electoral alliance, the party said in a news release.
Leaders of BNP, the major partner of four-party alliance, filed nomination papers for almost all the constituencies.
Jamaat-e-Islami, another key ally of the BNP-led alliance, filed nominations for over 50 constituencies although the alliance allocated 31 seats for it.
Bangladesher Jatiya Party’s leaders filed nomination papers for 15 constituencies although only two seats were allocated for it by four-party alliance.
Anwar Hossain Manju-led Jatiya Party’s leaders filed nominations for 62 constituencies although BNP was reluctant to allocate more than two seats for them.
Apart from the major political parties united in the two alliances, some small political parties and independent candidates also filed their nomination papers.
Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal (BSD) said its leaders filed nominations for 45 constituencies.
Candidates across the country yesterday filed nominations with the offices of the ROs and AROs by depositing TK. 10,000 for each nomination.
The EC last night disclosed that a total of 4,146 nomination papers were filed in 300 constituencies.
At most places, the candidates went to the offices of RO’s and ARO’s in processions playing drums and bugles as a mark of festivity. The supporters, wearing party colours and carrying respective election symbols chanted slogans for their candidates.
However, the election fever was marred by violent clashes between rival political parties or intra-party groups at different places.
SHAMIM OSMAN FILES NOMINATION
Awami League (AL) leader and former lawmaker Shamim Osman submitted nomination paper for Narayanganj-4 constituency from AL-led 14-party combine yesterday returning from five years’ self-exile.
Accused of criminal activities during the AL rule, Osman fled to India just after the 2001 election victory of BNP-led four-party alliance. He did not come back in the last five years fearing reprisals for his offences.
Besides, he is accused in a number of criminal cases including the explosion in AL office at Chashara in June 2001 that left 22 people killed.
Returning to Narayanganj, he addressed a rally yesterday at the Osmani stadium and begged pardon if he did anything ‘wrong’ during the AL era. Many people used his name while committing crimes, he claimed adding that only the Islamist militants and the anti-liberation forces tried to establish a ‘godfather’ image of him.
The AL leader also promised to nurture clean politics and ensure ‘a drug and crime free’ Narayanganj if elected this time.
Most of the central and district AL committee members did not participate in the rally.
Comments are not moderated and only expresses personal views of visitors. BangladeshNews.com.bd is not responsible for commets posted by visitors.
Leave a Reply