After a hearing, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad upheld the decision of the returning officer cancelling Siddiqui’s candidature.
The EC also scrapped the appeals of HM Ershad-led Jatiya Party aspirant Kazi Ashraf Siddiqui and ruling Awami League’s ‘rebel’ candidate Abu Syed Mia.
However, Kader Siddiqui said he would challenge the EC decision in the High Court.
The elections to the Tangail-8 constituency will be held on March 29. The seat fell vacant following the death of Awami League lawmaker Sawkot Momen Shahjahan
After scrutinising the nominations at the Tangail district election office, Zonal Election Officer of Mymensingh and Returning Officer of the by-election Sayed Khorshed Anower on February 26 cancelled the candidatures of Kader Siddiqui and Ashraf Siddiqui for loan default.
The EC had cancelled Abu Syed Mia’s candidature as he did not give his initial on his affidavit submitted along with the nomination papers.
According to a report of Bangladesh Bank’s Credit Information Bureau (CIB), Kader Siddiqui had taken a loan from Agrani Bank for his organisation Sonar Bangla Construction but did not repay the amount, although several years passed after the deadline.
After Sunday’s hearing on the appeals of the three by-polls aspirants, CEC Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad told reporters, “Their appeals have been scrapped. The decision of the returning officer has been upheld.”
Six candidates including Shahjahan’s son Anupam Shahjahan submitted nomination papers for the by-polls. But now only three candidates remain in the race.
Two other candidates are former General Manager of Bangladesh Bank Abdul Malek and independent candidate Dr. Liakat Ali.
Along with the BNP-led 19-Party Alliance, Siddiqui’s party had boycotted the January 5 parliamentary elections, demanding restoration of the caretaker government system for overseeing the national election.
