Mintoo, Alal, Sohel didn’t file nomination papers

BNP vice chairman Abdul Awal Mintoo, joint secretary general Moazzem Hossain Alal and Dhaka south unit president Habibun Nabi Sohel have not submitted nomination papers.

The BNP chairperson’s media wing official Sayrul Kabir confirmed this as Wednesday was the last day for filing nomination papers for 30 December parliamentary polls.

The BNP official, however, could not say the reasons of their absence from the electoral contest.

Abdul Awal Mintoo bought nomination forms for contesting polls from Feni-3 constituency and as a backup candidate for Khaleda Zia from Feni-1, in case she is declared disqualified, the BNP official said.

Moazzem Hossain Alal wanted to contest from Barishal-2 constituency and Habibun Nabi Sohel from Dhaka-8 constituency.

Candidates of all political parties that are contesting polls submitted their nomination papers to the respective returning officers by Wednesday.

Alongside Mintoo, former Jubo Dal leader Rafiqul Islam is also an alternative candidate from Feni-1 if Khaleda Zia cannot contest elections.

Former whip Shahidul Haque Jamal also bought nomination paper for Barisal-2 constituency, from where Alal wanted to contest.

Earlier, he contested the elections from Dhaka-13. The BNP chairperson’s adviser Abdus Salam got nomination from Dhaka-13 constituency.

Habibun Nabi Sohel has been in the jail after he was arrested from Gulshan on 18 September. None submitted nomination on his behalf.