Candidature rejection: Dhaka divisional commissioner apologises

Dhaka Divisional Commissioner Zillar Rahman today apologised unconditionally to the High Court for cancelling the nomination of a reserve seat candidate for the elections to Dhaka South City Corporation.

The court accepted the apology and ordered him to allow Sumaiya Begum, who is a candidate for the post of reserve seat of ward No. 19, to contest the DSCC polls scheduled for April 28.

The HC bench of Justice Farah Mahbub and Justice Kazi Md Ejarul Haque Akonda passed the order in response to a writ petition filed by Sumaiya.

Zillar appeared before the bench in the morning as per its Thursday's order and offered unconditional apology.

Sumaiya's lawyer Md Shahjahan told The Daily Star that the commissioner has to accept the nomination of his client and allow her to contest the elections following the HC order.

Earlier on Thursday, the HC asked Zillar to appear before it today (Sunday) to explain the cancellation of the aspirant's nomination.

Sumaiya in the petition said the returning officer cancelled her nomination paper on April 1, saying that she did not sign the affidavit, which was sworn by her along with the nomination paper.

The divisional commissioner on April 4 rejected an appeal of the aspirant against the returning officer's decision.

Sumaiya in the petition also said the divisional commissioner has accepted the nomination of some other candidates despite having similar faults, which is discriminatory.