EC upholds BNP candidate Rafiqul Islam’s candidacy for Gazipur-3

The Election Commission (EC) has declared the candidacy of Dr. Rafiqul Islam Bachchu valid for the Gazipur-3 parliamentary constituency, dismissing a legal challenge from rival candidate Dr. Jahangir Alam.

The commission unanimously rejected the complaint filed by Dr. Alam, a Jamaat-e-Islami nominated candidate, following a hearing at the Agargaon Election Commission office on Sunday (January 18).

The complaint alleged that Dr. Rafiqul Islam was constitutionally ineligible for the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. It stated that Dr. Rafiqul had been removed from his post as Assistant Registrar at the former PG Hospital (now Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University) in 2011.

The complainant argued that although Dr. Rafiqul was reinstated by a High Court verdict on August 5, 2024, his return to service was questionable due to age limit constraints, which allegedly disqualified him from the race.

After hearing arguments from both sides, the Election Commission ruled that the complaint was legally baseless. The EC noted the reinstatement by a High Court verdict is a binding judicial decision that cannot be overturned by administrative age-related disputes.

Under the Constitution, disqualification requires specific grounds such as a criminal conviction, bankruptcy, or holding an active "office of profit" in government service. Dr. Rafiqul is not currently in active government service, and no criminal convictions exist against him.

With this ruling, there are no further legal hurdles for the BNP-nominated candidate in Gazipur-3. The decision marks a significant moment for the constituency as major parties prepare for the general election scheduled for February 12, 2026.