Nusrat Tabassum Challenges Election Commission’s Rejection in High Court

A High Court bench comprising Justice Ahmed Sohel and Justice Fatema Anwar is scheduled to hear the petition on Monday afternoon, April 27, 2026. The move comes after the Election Commission (EC) disqualified her nomination on the grounds of late submission.

According to Election Commission sources, the deadline for submitting nomination papers for the reserved seats was April 22. While the regulations mandated that all applications be filed by 4:00 PM, Nusrat Tabassum reportedly submitted her papers at 4:19 PM. The Commission cancelled her candidacy specifically due to this 19-minute delay. This legal setback follows the EC’s earlier decision to suspend the candidacy of Monira Sharmin, the NCP’s joint convener, plunging the party’s aspirants into significant legal complications.

The election for the reserved women’s seats is slated to take place on May 12. Legal counsel for Nusrat Tabassum argued that a minor delay caused by technical or logical reasons should not strip a candidate of their democratic rights. They are hopeful that the High Court will consider the merit of their argument and reinstate her candidacy. The National Citizens' Party views this legal battle as a critical step for its political survival, as a favorable ruling could shift the current electoral equations for the reserved seats.