Dhaka, Jan. 4 -- Mahmudur Rahman Manna has been cleared to contest the Dhaka-18 seat despite being barred from the Bogura-2 constituency, a contrasting decision that has raised questions about how nomination papers are being assessed ahead of the parliamentary election.

The different outcomes for the president of Nagorik Oikko, a long-time ally of the BNP-led alliance, have drawn public attention, as one seat rejects his candidacy while another validates it.

Election expert and former additional secretary of the Election Commission (EC) Jesmin Tuli says it is normal for a candidate to be valid in one constituency and invalid in another.

According to her, such differences can arise for several reasons and fall within the returning offic...