BNP’s Eliza submits nomination for reserved women’s seat

BNP Central Executive Committee member Eliza Zaman has submitted her nomination papers as the party’s candidate for the by-election to reserved women’s seat No. 23 in the 13th Jatiya Sangsad.

Md Moin Uddin Khan, returning officer for the reserved seats and EC joint secretary, on Monday said Eliza submitted her nomination papers within the stipulated timeframe.

Eliza is also a joint convener of Pirojpur district BNP and the organising secretary for the Barishal division of the party’s women’s wing, Jatiyatabadi Mohila Dal.

According to the Election Commission’s schedule, nomination papers will be scrutinised on October 27, while November 1 is the last date for withdrawal of candidature. Voting is scheduled for November 12.

However, if Eliza remains the sole candidate, she will be declared elected unopposed, without a formal vote.

Earlier, on October 1, BNP reserved-seat MP Ferdousy Ahmed Mishti resigned after being instructed to step down by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

The Parliament Secretariat subsequently issued a gazette notification declaring the seat vacant.

The development came amid allegations of her involvement in an attack, vandalism, looting and demolition at the Radda MCH-FP Centre, a maternal and child healthcare facility in Mirpur.

The health centre was attacked and vandalised around midnight, with allegations that ruling party leaders and activists at different levels were involved.

Mishti, however, denied any involvement in the incident.