Jatiya Party’s Howlader moves High Court to get back his nomination

Jatiya Party leader ABM Ruhul Amin Howlader has moved the High Court to restore his nomination for the Patuakhali-1 constituency after it was rejected by the Election Commission.

Howlader, the former secretary general of Jatiya Party, filed a petition on Sunday challenging the EC’s decision to bar him from competing in the Dec 30 polls.

A High Court Bench of Justice Tariq Ul Hakim and Justice Md Shohrowardi may hear the petition on Sunday afternoon, said advocate Ashique al-Jalil, who represented Howlader in the court.

A Bangladesh Bank notice sent to election officials had identified Howlader as a loan defaulter. For that reason the Patuakhali returning officer had rejected Howlader’s initial application for the election. But Shahjalal Islami Bank Ltd gave a different statement in a report on Nov 8, he told reporters.

“The commission had rejected Howlader’s application based on Bangladesh Bank’s notice without considering the second statement, which did not identify Howlader as a loan defaulter. The petition has been filed to challenge this decision,” said Ashiq Al Jalil.

The returning officer had rejected Howlader on Friday. Party Chairman HM Ershad had removed him from the post of secretary general the day after.

He then took the matter to the EC for review.

In another statement Ershad, the Jatiya Party chairman, said Howlader had been appointed as his special assistant. In the absence of the party chair, Howlader would take over his responsibilities.

Several Jatiya Party leaders have alleged that Howlader was selling the party’s nomination for the coming polls for exorbitant prices. Howlader claimed the allegations are attempts to smear him.