Tarique Rahman Files Nomination for Dhaka-17 on Final Day

On Monday, BNP’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman submitted his nomination papers for the Dhaka-17 constituency ahead of the 13th national parliamentary elections. Monday marked the last day for candidates to file their nominations.

Around 12:15 pm, the papers were submitted at the office of the Dhaka Divisional Commissioner and Returning Officer in Segunbagicha, on Tarique’s behalf. Present for the submission were Professor Farhad Halim, Chief Advisor of the Doctors’ Association of Bangladesh (DAB), BNP Chairman’s Advisor Abdus Salam, and Aminul Haque, Convenor of BNP’s Dhaka North unit.

According to the Election Commission schedule, Monday was the final day for submitting nomination papers. Candidates from other political parties were also seen filing their papers at the Returning Officer’s office.

Party sources confirmed that Tarique became a registered voter for Dhaka-17 last Saturday after returning to the country. The constituency, covering affluent areas such as Gulshan, Banani, and Baridhara, had been discussed as a potential seat for him for some time.

Tarique, the eldest son of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, left Bangladesh for London in 2008 after being released from prison and was not included in the voter list at that time. He had not returned to the country to register as a voter during subsequent years under the Awami League government.

Following last year’s political upheaval that removed the Awami League from power, the interim government is preparing for the 13th parliamentary elections scheduled for February 12, with the schedule announced on December 11.

In addition to Dhaka-17, Tarique will also contest from his ancestral seat, Bogura-6, under the BNP symbol “Sheaf of Paddy.” His nomination forms for both constituencies have already been collected.