Tabassum Moves High Court to Restore Her Candidacy

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National Citizen Party (NCP) leader Nusrat Tabassum has moved the High Court seeking to regain her candidacy for a reserved women’s seat in the Jatiya Sangsad.
The writ petition is expected to come up for hearing on Monday before a High Court bench comprising Justice Ahmed Sohel and Justice Fatema Anwar. Through the petition, Tabassum has challenged the decision of the Election Commission that rejected her nomination on procedural grounds.
According to case details, the Election Commission had set 4:00 pm as the final deadline for submitting nomination papers on April 22. Tabassum submitted her documents at 4:19 pm, exceeding the stipulated time by 19 minutes. Citing the delay, the commission declared her nomination invalid.
In her plea, Tabassum argues that the rejection was overly rigid and failed to consider the broader democratic principle of participation. Her legal team is expected to contend that minor procedural lapses should not outweigh a candidate’s right to contest, particularly in elections aimed at ensuring women’s representation in parliament.
The Election Commission, however, maintains that deadlines are essential to preserve transparency and order in the electoral process. Officials say any deviation from the rules could set a precedent that undermines the integrity of the system.
The court’s decision on the matter could have wider implications, especially for how strictly electoral procedures are enforced in future nominations. Political observers are closely watching the case, as it touches on the balance between procedural compliance and inclusive representation.
If the court rules in her favor, Tabassum may be allowed to re-enter the race. Otherwise, the commission’s decision will stand, reinforcing the importance of adhering to election timelines without exception.