Shammi, Sadiq unable to run in polls

Awami League nominee Shammi Ahmed from Barishal-04 constituency and independent candidate Serniabat Sadiq Abdullah from Barishal-05 constituency are unable to contest the January 07 general election.

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed a leave-to-appeal petition filed by Mr Shammi to restore her candidacy.

A six-member bench, headed by Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan, passed the order after hearing her petition.

The AL nominee's candidacy was earlier rejected by the returning officer (RO), Election Commission and the High Court (HC) on ground that she had dual citizenship.

The hapless Sadiq also faced the same fate.

The apex court upheld the chamber judge's order that earlier stayed for eight weeks an HC order asking the EC to allow him to contest the election.

Mr Zaheed of the same constituency challenged the candidature of his rival Mr Sadiq.

The Barishal RO declared Mr Sadiq's nomination valid.

In another development, the apex court upheld the candidacy of the AL-nominated Enamul Haque Babul from Jashore-04, independent candidate Alam Ahmed from Gazipur-04 and independent candidate Sheikh Akram Hossain from Khulna-05.

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