The Returning Officers concerned today declared the nomination papers of BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman valid for the Dhaka-17 and Bogura-6 constituencies ahead of the 13th national parliamentary election.

Confirming the development, Abdus Salam, chief election coordinator for Dhaka-17 and a member of the BNP Chairperson's Advisory Council, said, "I thank Almighty Allah that the nomination paper of Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has been declared valid."

Earlier in the day, the Returning Officer of Bogura-6 also approved Rahman's nomination. BNP Media Cell member Shayrul Kabir Khan said the decision for Bogura-6 was announced at around 10:30 am.

Speaking to the media, Abdus Salam expressed confidence that voters in Dhaka-17 would elect Tarique Rahman by a large margin in the February 12 election. 

Referring to the party's past, Salam said that the BNP and the Zia family had stepped forward whenever Bangladesh faced crises and expressed hope that the upcoming election would mark another such moment.

He also voiced optimism that the 13th national parliamentary election would restore democracy through a popular mandate, enabling Bangladesh to address economic and other challenges and strengthen its democratic standing globally.

Salam called on citizens to offer prayers for the departed soul of BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia and BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman and sought public support for the party's electoral symbol, the Sheaf of Paddy.