High Court declares BNP candidate for Bogura-1 constituency valid

The High Court has dismissed a writ petition seeking the cancellation of the nomination of BNP-nominated and declared candidate Kazi Rafiqul Islam for the Bogura-1 (Sonatala–Sariakandi) parliamentary constituency.

Following the verdict, there is no longer any legal obstacle to his participation in the upcoming election.

A High Court division bench delivered the order on Sunday after hearing the petition.

Kazi Rafiqul Islam had earlier obtained a stay order from the High Court regarding loan-related issues involving two private banks.

However, on Thursday, EXIM Bank authorities filed a writ petition challenging that order, prompting the court to suspend its earlier ruling in his favour.

On Sunday morning, after a fresh hearing, the High Court division bench lifted the suspension, effectively dismissing the writ. As a result, BNP candidate Kazi Rafiqul Islam now faces no legal barrier to contesting the election from the Bogura-1 constituency.

Earlier, on November 3 last year, former lawmaker Kazi Rafiqul Islam secured the BNP nomination with the party’s election symbol, the sheaf of paddy, for the Bogura-1 (Sonatala–Sariakandi) seat in the upcoming 13th national parliamentary election.

Subsequently, on December 28, he submitted his nomination papers to Sariakandi Upazila Nirbahi Officer and Assistant Returning Officer Sumaiya Ferdous.