EC restores candidacy of Rashtro Sangskar Andolon’s Hasnat Quaiyum

He is contesting the Kishoreganj-5 constituency, comprised of Nikli and Bajitpur Upazilas

The Election Commission has reinstated the candidacy of Hasnat Quaiyum, president of the Bangladesh Rashtro Songskar Andolon, allowing him to contest the Kishoreganj-5 seat as an independent candidate.

The decision was made on Monday after the commission heard an appeal against an earlier ruling by a returning officer who had rejected Quaiyum's nomination papers.

The appeal hearing was chaired by Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin and attended by four other election commissioners.

Quaiyum's nomination was rejected on Jan 3 over discrepancies in the list of supporters required for independent candidates, who must submit signatures from at least 1 percent of voters in their constituency. The commission said the appeal had been accepted after reviewing the evidence.

Speaking after the ruling, Quaiyum alleged that there were coordinated efforts at the local level to exclude independent candidates from the election.

He said initial verification reports claimed that six out of 10 listed voters could not be traced, but that subsequent field investigations found some voters had been reluctant to identify themselves or sign documents out of fear.

After the appeal was filed, two voters were brought before the Election Commission, which verified their statements before allowing Quaiyum to re-enter the race.

Leaders of the Rashtro Songskar Andolon, which is not registered as a political party, are contesting the election as independent candidates.

Quaiyum also criticised what he described as the influence of major political parties over local election officials, pointing to the high number of appeals and the rate at which nominations have been reinstated.

He warned that a credible election would be impossible without impartial administration and said the stakes went beyond a change of government.

“This election is not just about power; it could shape constitutional reform. If the election is not acceptable, the country will face serious consequences,” he said.

He added that while responsibility would rest with the Election Commission, ordinary citizens would bear the cost of a flawed vote, arguing that Bangladesh had no alternative to a free, fair and credible election.