STAFF CORRESPONDENT

An appeal has been filed with the Election Commission (EC) challenging the nomination of BNP candidate Madhabi Marma for a reserved women’s parliamentary seat.

Chandra Chakma, central joint secretary of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, alleged that Madhabi is still serving as a member of the Bandarban Hill District Council, which she says disqualifies her from contesting.

Appeals over nomination papers were submitted at the EC office in Agargaon from 9:00am to 4:00pm yesterday.

After filing the appeal, Chandra said Madhabi submitted her nomination on April 21 without resigning from an “office of profit” or completing the required legal procedures. “This makes her nomination invalid. I have requested the Chief Election Commissioner to cancel it,” she said.

Chandra also noted that she had sought BNP’s nomination for the same reserved seat.

Denying the allegation, Madhabi said she resigned from the council on April 20. “I have submitted copies of my resignation to the relevant authorities,” she told The Daily Star.

On whether the resignation was mentioned in her EC affidavit, she said the form had no requirement for such information.

Bandarban Hill District Council officials said Madhabi submitted her resignation on April 20, but it was formally accepted yesterday.

Executive Officer Md Abul Monsur said he received the resignation copy yesterday afternoon but could not confirm when it took effect.

The EC has set April 21 as the deadline for nomination submissions.