41 regain candidacy, 24 rejected on third day of appeal hearings

National People’s Party candidate Md Hamidul Islam regains candidacy in the Mymensingh-4 constituency

The Election Commission (EC) has approved 41 petitions on the third day of appeal hearings challenging returning officers’ decisions on nomination papers for the national election.

EC spokesperson Ruhul Amin Mollik said on Monday that 24 petitions were rejected during the hearings, while four remained pending.

One appeal was not heard as the election process in the Pabna-2 constituency was suspended, while independent candidate Shakila Farzana of Chattogram-5 seat withdrew her appeal.

The EC also approved the previously pending appeal of National People’s Party candidate Md Hamidul Islam in the Mymensingh-4 constituency.

Over the past three days, 150 candidates have regained their election tickets.

A total of 1,842 candidates currently have valid nominations, and one’s candidature was dropped following the appeal hearings.

A total of 645 appeals have been filed, with appeals numbered 211 to 280 scheduled for hearing on Tuesday. The hearings are set to conclude by Jan 17.

According to the election schedule, the deadline for cancelling or withdrawing candidacy is Jan 20, after which the final list of candidates will be published and symbols allotted on Jan 21. The candidates will contest the polls on Feb 12.

Voting in the Pabna-1 and Pabna-2 constituencies has been postponed until further notice.