41 appeal to EC to get back candidacy

Bangla Press Desk:  A total of 41 aspiring candidates have appealed to the Election Commission (EC) against the returning officers' decisions regarding the cancellation of their nominations, while one has filed an appeal against the acceptance of a valid candidacy.  

On the first day of appeals, a total of 42 applications were filed with the commission, EC Director (Public Relations) Md Ruhul Amin Mollik told reporters on Monday.

Fifteen aspiring candidates from the Dhaka region, seven from Faridpur, five each from Cumilla and Rajshahi, three each from Khulna and Rangpur, two from Chattogram, and one each from Mymensingh and Barishal submitted their appeals.

BNP candidate MA Hannan filed an application seeking the cancellation of the candidacy of independent candidate AK Ekramuzzaman from the Brahmanbaria-1 constituency. 

Ekramuzzaman was defeated as a BNP candidate in the ninth and eleventh parliamentary elections. However, he won the 12th national election in 2024 as an independent candidate.

Tasnim Jara, an independent candidate from the Dhaka-9 constituency, also filed an appeal with the EC. 

Election Commission officials said that a total of 3,406 nomination papers were collected nationwide, of which 2,568 were submitted. After scrutiny, 1,842 nomination papers were declared valid, while 723 were rejected. 

According to the election schedule, 29 December was the last date for submitting nomination papers. Returning officers conducted scrutiny from 30 December to 4 January. 

Appeals can be filed from 5 January to 9 January, and will be disposed of between 10 and 18 January. The deadline for withdrawal of candidature is 20 January. 

Returning officers will publish the final list of candidates and allocate symbols on 21 January. Election campaigning will begin on 22 January and continue until 7:30am on 10 February. Voting will be held on 12 February.

BP/SP