EC starts receiving appeals from aggrieved nomination aspirants

The Election Commission (EC) on Monday started receiving applications from those whose nomination papers were rejected by returning officers during scrutiny.

In the morning, a good number of aggrieved candidates and their supporters were seen gathering at the Election Commission Secretariat in the city’s Agargaon area with their applications and documents.

Imran H Sarkar and Golam Mowla Rony filed their respective appeals against cancellation of their nomination papers.

While talking to reporters, EC Secretary Helaluddin Ahmad said the rejected candidates will be able to appeal with Election Commission. "Even if any aspirant is not happy here (with the decisions of the EC), he/she can also go to court," he added.

The returning officers, during the scrutiny on Sunday, rejected a total of 786 nomination papers and accepted 2,279 ones submitted in the country's 300 constituencies to contest the 11th national election scheduled for December 30.

Only aggrieved candidates or banks can file appeals with the Appeal Authority, EC, by 5 pm on Wednesday (Dec 5) challenging the decision of the returning officers over nomination papers.

An aspirant or authorised person can submit the petition addressing the EC Secretary.

Seven copies of each application, including the main one, will have to be submitted.

The EC will dispose of the appeals by December 9 following hearings to be held at the EC Secretariat on December 6-8.

The last date for the withdrawal of candidature is December 9, while the election symbols will be allocated among candidates on December 10.

Source: unb