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told reporters, “Monira Sharmin’s appeal has been rejected. Her nomination remains cancelled.”

Following the decision, Monira said she would challenge the ruling in the High Court.

“We will go to the High Court. I don’t want women’s representation in parliament and their political empowerment to become uncertain due to ambiguities in the law,” she said.

On BNP candidate Zeeba Amina Khan’s case, EC Masud said the appeal against her nomination was not valid as the appellant was not a candidate.

Meanwhile, an appeal had been filed with the EC challenging the nomination of BNP candidate Madhabi Marma. The EC heard the matter but dismissed the appeal.

The appeal was filed by Chandra Chakma, central joint secretary of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, who alleged that Madhabi was still serving as a member of the Bandarban Hill District Council, which she claimed disqualified her from contesting.

Denying the allegation, Madhabi said she had resigned from the council on April 20.

After the hearing, Chandra Chakma told reporters, “I was told that under the law, an appeal must be filed by an aggrieved candidate, not an individual. That’s why my appeal was not accepted. We will now go to the High Court.”

ACCEPT NUSRAT’S NOMINATION PAPER: HC

Meanwhile, the High Court yesterday ordered the Election Commission to accept the nomination paper of Nusrat Tabassum, a leader of NCP, for the reserved women’s seat in the National Parliament.

The HC also issued a rule asking the EC to explain why its refusal to accept her nomination should not be declared illegal.

The bench of Justice Ahmed Sohel and Justice Fatema Anwar issued the order and rule following a writ petition filed by Nusrat Tabassum seeking its directive on the Election Commission to accept her nomination paper.

The deadline for submitting nomination papers was 4pm on April 22.

However, Nusrat submitted her paper at 4:19pm. As a result, the EC did not accept her nomination for missing the deadline, Deputy Attorney General Mahfuz Bin Yousuf told The Daily Star.

Lawyers Mohammod Hossain Lipu, Zahirul Islam Musa and Md Moniruzzaman appeared for the writ petitioner during the hearing on the petition.