The High Court has directed the Election Commission (EC) to accept the nomination papers of Nusrat Tabassum, a leader of the National Citizens Party (NCP), for the reserved women’s seat in the national parliament. The order was issued on Monday by a High Court bench comprising Justice Ahmed Sohel and Justice Fatema Anwar. Nusrat Tabassum had earlier filed a writ petition seeking to restore her candidacy after the EC rejected her nomination.

According to the report, the Election Commission had canceled Nusrat Tabassum’s nomination papers because they were submitted after the deadline on April 22. The final submission time was 4:00 p.m., but she submitted her papers at 4:19 p.m. The EC also suspended the candidacy of Monira Sharmin, the joint convener of the same party. The election for the reserved women’s seats in the 13th National Parliament is scheduled for May 12.

The High Court’s directive now allows Nusrat Tabassum to participate in the upcoming election, pending the EC’s compliance with the order.