MPs don't need to resign to contest as independent candidates: EC

The incumbent members of parliament (MP) who want to run as independent candidates do not need to resign from their positions, the Election Commission (EC) said on Wednesday, reports UNB.
The EC clarified the issue at a press release on Wednesday after Election Commissioner Rashida Sultana said current MPs who want to run as independent candidates must step down from their current positions - a statement that created confusion in political arena.
Independent candidates must submit their nomination papers along with a list of signatures from one per cent of the total voters in their constituencies, said the release.
However, if they have been an MP before, they do not need to submit this list, said the release.