The Election Commission (EC) has declared the nomination of former Awami League minister Abdul Latif Siddiqui valid for contesting the Tangail-4 constituency as an independent candidate. The decision came on Sunday afternoon following an appeal hearing at the commission.

The appeal against Siddiqui’s nomination was filed by Md. Liaqat Ali, the Jatiya Party candidate for the same seat. Liaqat Ali’s lawyer argued that Siddiqui should be disqualified from the national election for being a leader of a banned political party. In response, Election Commissioner Rahmanel Ma’sud stated that while the party was banned, no individual had been personally prohibited from contesting. After hearing all sides, the commission decided to uphold Siddiqui’s nomination.

Abdul Latif Siddiqui previously served as the Minister of Textiles and Jute in the Awami League government from 2009 to 2014.