Tasnim Jara spoke to journalists at the Election Commission in Agargaon. Photo : BSS

DHAKA, Jan 10, 2026 (BSS) - The Election Commission (EC) today declared the nomination of independent candidate Tasnim Jara valid for the 13th national parliamentary election, upholding her appeal against the cancellation of her nomination paper.

Tasnim Jara is contesting the election from the Dhaka-9 constituency as an independent candidate. Her nomination was validated following a hearing that began this morning at the Election Commission in the capital's Agargaon area.

Talking to journalists, Tasnim Jara said her appeal to the Election Commission had been accepted and her nomination as an independent candidate from Dhaka-9 had been declared valid.

"Over the last week, I have gone through a very different kind of experience. People at home and abroad have sent their good wishes and prayers. When I spoke to people on the streets, many expressed frustration and pain and told me they were praying for me," she added.

She expressed gratitude to everyone involved in the struggle to restore her candidature and thanked the Election Commission for its decision.

Tasnim Jara also said she would apply for her preferred football symbol as an independent candidate, adding that the final decision in this regard would rest with the Election Commission.

Previously, Tasnim Jara served as senior joint member secretary of the National Citizen Party (NCP). After leaving the party, she submitted her nomination papers to contest the election independently from Dhaka-9.

On January 3, following scrutiny of nomination papers, the returning officer (RO) cancelled her nomination. Explaining the decision, Dhaka Divisional Additional Commissioner (Revenue) Md Azmal Hossain had said that while the required number of voter signatures-4,300-was met, verification found that out of the 10 individuals listed as proposers and supporters, two were not voters of the Dhaka-9 constituency.
 
As per electoral rules, the nomination was therefore cancelled, though the candidate retained the right to appeal.

According to the Election Commission, a total of 645 appeals have been filed with the EC against decisions of returning officers during scrutiny of nomination papers for the 13th parliamentary election.

The appeal submission process began on January 5 and concluded on January 9, the final day seeing the highest number of submissions with 176 appeals filed.

Appeal hearings at the Election Commission will continue until January 18. Hearings for appeals numbered 1 to 70 were held today, followed by hearings for appeals 71 to 140 on Sunday, 141 to 210 on Monday, and 211 to 280 on Tuesday.
 
The hearings are taking place at the Election Building auditorium in Agargaon from 10:00am to 5:00pm daily, with dates for subsequent hearings to be announced shortly.