Returning officers cancel 786 nomination papers

Returning officers have cancelled 786 nomination papers, out of total 3,065, submitted by contestants in 300 constituencies to contest the 11th parliamentary elections.

A total of 2,279 nomination papers were declared valid while 786 invalid during the scrutiny by 66 returning officers across the country, reports UNB citing the factsheet of the Election Commission secretariat.

However, the rejected candidates may file appeal challenging the cancellations with the Election Commission (EC) by December 5.

EC joint secretary Farhad Ahammad Khan said, "If anyone becomes aggrieved with the decisions of the returning officers, he/she will have to lodge appeal with the appeal authority of the EC within three days after the scrutiny."

The EC will hold will dispose of the appeals following hearing within the next three days, December 6-8, he said.

If any candidate get dissatisfactory decision from the EC, he or she can seek judgement before the Supreme Court.

Besides, anyone can challenge legality of any aspirant, whose nomination form was accepted by a returning officer.

The last date for the withdrawal of candidature is December 9 and the electoral symbols will be allocated on December 10.

Some 3,065 aspirants submitted nomination papers in the country's 300 constituencies within the deadline that expired on November 30 to take part in the national election slated for December 30.

Of the total 3,065 aspirants, 281 AL probable candidates submitted nomination papers in 264 constituencies, while 696 BNP contestants in 295 parliamentary seats, 233 Jatiya Party aspirants in 210 constituencies.

Besides, 498 independent aspirants also submitted nomination papers.

BNP fielded more than one candidate in most of the constituencies while AL in 17 and Jatiya Party in 23 constituencies.

But the parties will have to confirm their final candidates before the withdrawal of candidature in these parliamentary seats.