The election office has validated GK Gaus, an accused in the murder of ex-finance minister SAMS Kibria, for the Habiganj municipality mayoral race.

Local Returning Officer Mohammad Shafiul Alam confirmed Gaus' nomination today, our Moulvibazar correspondent reports.

A petition was standing against Gaus, filed by a local Awami League leader, saying he was suspended as mayor after implication in the murder case.

Habiganj Deputy Commissioner Sabina Alam rejected the petition yesterday thereby clearing way for Gaus' nomination, Officer Shafiul said.

Gaus is in jail after he was charge-sheeted in Kibria murder case this January. His brother GK Gaffar submitted the nomination papers on December 3.

"My brother is a popular mayor. He has been nominated from the BNP. Many are jealous of his popularity. We will prove our worth in the election day," Gaffar told The Daily Star.

Now with Gaus valid for the municipality polls slated for December 30, BNP has two rebel candidates for Habiganj municipality Aminur Rashid Emran and M Islam Tarafdar Tonu.

A finance minister from the Awami League, Kibria was killed in a grenade attack on a rally in Habiganj on January 27, 2005. Four others were also killed in the attack.