The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court on Tuesday (30 June) cancelled the candidacy of BNP leader Aslam Chowdhury, who had unofficially won the 13th parliamentary election from the Chattogram-4 constituency, over allegations of loan default.

Lawyers said the ruling means the Election Commission (EC) can no longer officially publish his election result.

The verdict was delivered by a four-member Appellate Division bench led by Chief Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury. The court had concluded hearings on 15 June and reserved its judgment until 30 June.

The appeal was filed by Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Md Anwar Siddique, who challenged the High Court's order upholding Aslam's nomination on the grounds that he was a loan defaulter.

Senior lawyer Mohammad Shishir Manir and Barrister ASM Shahriar Kabir appeared for Anwar Siddique, assisted by advocate Md Azim Uddin Patwary. Senior lawyer Miftah Uddin Chowdhury and Barrister AM Mahbub Uddin Khokon represented Aslam Chowdhury.

Following the verdict, advocate Azim Uddin Patwary said, “The Appellate Division had overturned the EC's decision to validate Aslam's nomination despite the allegation of loan default. Consequently, the EC would not be able to officially declare Aslam's election result.”

Shishir Manir said the legal consequences of the ruling would become clear once the full text of the judgment is released. He added that either a fresh election could be held in the constituency or Jamaat candidate Anwar Siddique could be declared elected, depending on the contents of the detailed verdict.

The EC had declared Aslam's nomination valid on 18 January despite the loan default allegation. That decision was challenged by Bank Asia, which filed a writ petition with the HC. After the HC dismissed the petition, the bank appealed to the Appellate Division.

Separately, Anwar sought leave to appeal against the HC's order.

On 3 February, the Appellate Division granted leave, allowing Aslam to contest the election but directing that the result would remain stayed and could not be officially published until the appeal was finally disposed of.