EC outlines appeal process for invalid nomination
Staff Reporter :
The returning officers across the country have completed the scrutiny of nomination papers for the 13th National Parliament election scheduled to be held on February 12.
Following this, candidates whose nominations have been accepted or rejected can file appeals to the Election Commission (EC) in compliance with the specified guidelines.
On Saturday, January 3, the EC issued letters to returning officers to circulate the guidelines to the candidates.
The guidelines clearly state that appeals must be made in writing, addressed to the Election Commission, and submitted in a prescribed format.
The appeal should include the date when the nomination paper was accepted or rejected, along with a statement explaining the reason for the appeal.
A certified copy of the order regarding the acceptance or rejection of the nomination must also be included.
In total, the appeal should consist of one original copy and seven additional copies. Appeals must be submitted at the designated booths in the central appeal centers across the various regions.
The election commission has set the period for filing appeals from January 5 to January 9.
Furthermore, an application form to request a copy of the appeal decision will be available at the designated appeal booths.
Candidates or their designated representatives may collect the copy of the appeal ruling from the booth. The final decisions on appeals will be issued between January 10 and January 18.
Returning officers have already validated nominations from key political figures, including BNP leader Tarique Rahman, Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Mohammad Shafiqur Rahman, NCP Convenor Nahid Islam, Ganashonghoti Andolon Coordinator Zonayed Saki, and Khalafat Majlish leader Mamunul Haque. However, some nominations have been rejected for various reasons.
As per the election schedule, the scrutiny of nomination papers will continue until January 4, and the deadline for filing appeals is from January 5 to January 9.
The final list of candidates will be announced between January 10 and January 18. Candidates can withdraw their nominations until January 20.
The final list of candidates will be published, and symbols will be allotted to the candidates on January 21. Campaigning will begin on January 22 and can continue until 7:30 AM on February 10. Voting will be held on February 12.
Out of the 59 registered political parties, eight have not submitted any nomination papers, indicating that these parties will not participate in the election.
These parties include Bangladesh Samyabadi Party (ML), Krishak Shramik Janata League, Bangladesh National Awami Party, Workers’ Party of Bangladesh, Bikalpo Dhara Bangladesh, Bangladesh Tariqat Federation, Trinomool BNP, and Bangladesh Nationalist Movement (BNM).
The Election Commission has also designated ten booths at the central election office in Agargaon for the submission of appeals.
The 10 booths are assigned to specific districts across the country, including those in the Khulna, Rajshahi, Rangpur, Chattogram, Cumilla, Sylhet, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Barisal, and Faridpur regions.
As the election date approaches, the final list of candidates will soon be made public, and the campaign period will commence.
With this process, the nation is preparing for the upcoming parliamentary election on February 12.