Tasnim Jara's nomination for Dhaka-9 declared valid on appeal

The Election Commission (EC) has declared the nomination of Dr. Tasnim Jara, an independent candidate for the Dhaka-9 constituency and former senior leader of the Jatiya Nagorik Party (NCP), valid. 

The decision came during an appeal hearing held on Saturday morning at the Election Commission Bhaban auditorium in Agargaon, Dhaka, with Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin and other commissioners present.  

Dr. Jara had challenged the earlier cancellation of her nomination papers by the Dhaka Divisional Commissioner and Returning Officer on January 3, 2026, during the scrutiny process. She filed the appeal on January 5.  

The rejection stemmed from the verification of signatures required for independent candidates. Out of 10 randomly checked signatories, 8 were confirmed as valid voters of Dhaka-9, but the remaining two were not registered in the constituency. This led to the initial disqualification under election rules.  

Dr. Jara confirmed the positive outcome herself via a post on her verified Facebook account around 11 am, stating, “Following the hearing, the appeal has been approved. The nomination is valid. I will be contesting the upcoming election in the Dhaka-9 constituency as an independent candidate supported by the people.”  

Dhaka-9 covers areas including Sabujbagh, Khilgaon, Mugda, and Manda police stations. Dr. Jara, a medical doctor by profession, resigned from the NCP in late December 2025 to run independently.