Independent candidate Dr. Tasnim Jara, contesting from Dhaka-9, announced she will apply to the Election Commission (EC) for the football as her preferred electoral symbol.
Her candidacy was reinstated on the first day of appeal hearings against returning officers’ decisions on nomination papers for the 13th Jatiya Sangsad election, held Saturday at the Election Commission auditorium in Agargaon, Dhaka, chaired by Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin.
Speaking after her reinstatement, Tasnim Jara said, “Our appeal to the Election Commission has been approved, and my candidacy is now valid. Over the past week, I received heartfelt messages and prayers from people at home and abroad. Many shared their concern and support on the streets, for which I am grateful.”
Regarding her electoral symbol, she added, “As an independent candidate, I will formally apply for my preferred symbol, the football. The final decision rests with the Election Commission. I thank them for listening to our arguments.”
Tasnim Jara, a popular figure on social media, had joined the newly formed National Citizens Party (NCP) as Senior Joint Member Secretary after the political developments on August 5. Initially expected to run as an NCP candidate, she resigned when the party formed an alliance with Jamaat-e-Islami and declared her intention to contest independently.
She will run from Dhaka-9, which includes Sabujbagh, Khilgaon, Mugda, and Manda police station areas, covering wards 1–7 and 71–75 of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC).
The 13th Jatiya Sangsad election is scheduled for February 12, alongside a referendum. Out of the nomination papers submitted, 1,842 were accepted, while 723 were rejected. A total of 645 appeals were filed between January 5–9.
Appeal hearings began on January 10 and will continue until January 18. Hearings for appeals 1–70 were held on the first day, with subsequent appeals scheduled daily. The final candidate list and electoral symbol allocation will be announced on January 21, followed by election campaigning from January 22 to February 10.
