EC Clears Most Dual Citizens, Bars Two Candidates

The Election Commission on Sunday cleared the vast majority of candidates facing dual-citizenship objections to contest the national election scheduled for February 12, barring only two BNP aspirants from Cumilla-3 and Cumilla-10.

The decisions were made on the final day of hearings on appeals against nomination rulings.

BNP candidate Abdul Gafur Bhuiyan of Cumilla-10 lost his candidacy after failing to appear at the hearing related to his dual-citizenship status. Separately, Sarwar Alamgir of Chattogram-2 was disqualified over allegations of loan default.

The status of BNP candidate Kazi Shah Mofazzel Hossain Kaikobad in Cumilla-3 remains under review, as the Commission examines documents regarding the renunciation of his Turkish citizenship. Officials indicated his nomination is likely to be upheld once verification is complete.

Earlier, the Commission cancelled the nomination of BNP’s Monzurul Ahsan Munshi in Cumilla-4 for loan default, while confirming the candidacy of National Citizen Party’s Abul Hasnat.

Despite initial objections, the Commission ultimately confirmed the nominations of several candidates from BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, the National Citizen Party, Islami Andolan Bangladesh, and independent contenders across multiple constituencies. It also reinstated Jamaat candidate Mohammad Mosleh Uddin Farid in Jashore-2.

Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin said the appeal hearings were conducted impartially and reiterated the Commission’s commitment to inclusive participation. He noted that the voter-signature requirement for independent candidates had been relaxed to encourage broader competition.

Election Commissioner Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah said some candidates facing loan-related issues were allowed to contest in line with existing legal provisions.

On the final day of the nine-day appeal process, the Commission heard 63 appeals, approving 23 and rejecting 35, while three were withdrawn, one appellant was absent, and two appeals remain pending.

Sunday was also the final day for submitting nominations in the Pabna-1 and Pabna-2 constituencies, with seven papers filed for Pabna-1 and five for Pabna-2.