Panchagarh-1 and 2: 19 candidates file nomination papers for upcoming parliamentary elections

A total of 19 candidates have filed their nomination papers for two constituencies of Panchagarh (Panchagarh-1 and Panchagarh-2) on the last day of filing nomination papers in preparation for the upcoming 13th parliamentary elections. The candidates submitted their nomination papers at the office of the Panchagarh District Returning Officer and Deputy Commissioner till 5 pm on Monday (December 29).

A total of 12 people had purchased nomination papers for Panchagarh-1 constituency, but 8 people submitted them. Barrister Muhammad Naushad Zamir, the International Relations Secretary of the Central Executive Committee, has filed his nomination papers for this constituency. On the other hand, Sarjis Alam, the northern chief organizer of the Jatiya Nagorik Party, has filed his nomination papers as a candidate of the 11-party alliance supported by Jamaat. Besides, former MP and Bangladesh JSD Central General Secretary Nazmul Haque Pradhan, Jagpar Al Rashed Pradhan, Mahafuzur Rahman of Gana Odhikar Parishad, Ferdous Alam of Labor Party, Sirajul Islam of Bangladesh Nationalist Front and Abdul Wadud Badsha of BNP have also submitted their nomination papers.

As part of the alliance, Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Iqbal Hossain withdrew from the Panchagarh-1 constituency. He said, "I have withdrawn from the election based on central instructions. As per the party decision, work will be done on the field for the alliance candidate in the future."

A total of 12 nomination papers were accepted in Panchagarh-2 constituency, but only 11 have submitted their nomination papers. BNP Central Executive Committee Rural Development Affairs Secretary Farhad Hossain Azad and Jamaat-e-Islami's Shafiullah Sufi have submitted their nomination papers here. Besides, Bangladesh JSD's Emran Al Amin, JSD's Al Rashed Pradhan, Islami Andolan's Kamrul Hasan Pradhan, LDP's Rezaul Islam, Jatiya Party's Lutfar Rahman Ripon, CPB's Ashraful Alam, BSP's Delwar Hossain and independent candidates Rahimul Islam Bulbul and Mahmud Hossain Sumon have submitted their nomination papers. Khelafat Majlis's Abul Kashem could not submit his nomination papers for this seat.

Returning Officer and Deputy Commissioner Kazi Md. Sayemuzzaman confirmed that the scrutiny of nomination papers will be completed on January 3. Meanwhile, after submitting his nomination papers, candidate Sarjis Alam said, "We want a transparent, fair and impartial election. We do not want to see muscle power, the influence of black money and violence like in the previous elections. I submitted my nomination papers today with many hopes and aspirations."