EC approves gazette declaring Nusrat winner in reserved women's seat

The Election Commission (EC) has approved the publication of a gazette notification officially declaring Nusrat Tabassum, Joint Convener of Jatiya Nagorik Party (NCP), as a member of parliament for a reserved women's seat. 

Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud confirmed the decision on Monday, stating that the commission has finalized the resolution to gazette her as the winner.

The process for this specific seat faced legal hurdles after the Jamaat alliance's initial nominee, Monira Sharmin, had her nomination canceled by the returning officer. Sharmin’s candidacy was disqualified under the law because three years had not passed since she left her job at the state-owned Krishi Bank. 

Despite appeals to the EC and subsequently the High Court, her disqualification stood. While a hearing was scheduled at the High Court on Monday, one judge declined to hear the case, moving the matter to a different bench for Tuesday.

If the High Court issues any directives following Sharmin's appeal, the EC maintains the legal authority to cancel or amend the issued gazette. "We do not know if she will proceed with the hearing. If the court delivers a decision, we will abide by it," Commissioner Masud added.

Meanwhile, Nusrat Tabassum's path to the seat opened after her nomination papers, initially rejected for being submitted 19 minutes past the deadline on April 21, were accepted following a High Court order. 

After scrutiny, the EC declared her a valid candidate on Sunday. Since there were no other contenders, Returning Officer Moin Uddin Khan confirmed on Monday that Tabassum has been elected unopposed.

Although 49 other women MPs from the reserved seats took their oaths on Sunday night-- including 36 from the BNP alliance, 12 from the Jamaat alliance, and one independent--Tabassum’s induction was delayed pending the finalization of this gazette. 

Monira Sharmin had also formally requested the EC to withhold any gazette publication for the seat until her legal challenge was resolved, but the commission has moved forward with Tabassum's approval.