Election Commission restores candidacy for 18 aspirants

In seven days, 353 candidates have had their nominations reinstated, as tally of valid contenders climbs to 2,193

On the seventh day of appeals over nomination rejections for the parliamentary polls, the Election Commission approved 18 more pleas, overturning the returning officers’ previous decisions.

With the latest restorations on Friday, as many as 353 candidates have regained their eligibility.

Conversely, two previously approved nominations were cancelled after successful appeals against them.

The hearing, led by Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin, was held at the Nirbachan Bhaban in Agargaon.

Ruhul Amin Mallik, the commission’s director of public relations, said 43 appeals were heard Friday: 18 were approved, 17 rejected, four appeals against nomination acceptance were dismissed, and four remained pending.

Following the Dec 30–Jan 4 scrutiny, 723 nomination papers were cancelled, leaving 1,842 valid candidates. With the recent appeals, the current tally of valid candidates stands at 2,193 out of a total of 645 applicants.

Appeals will continue until Jan 18, with hearings for applications 511 to 610 scheduled Saturday at the Nirbachan Bhaban from 10am to 5pm.

According to the announced schedule, candidates will have until Jan 20 to withdraw their nominations, after which the final list of contesting candidates will be published.

Party symbols will be allotted on Jan 21, and voting is set for Feb 12.