Dhaka Bureau: The scrutiny of nomination papers submitted by candidates across the country to participate in the upcoming 12th National Parliament elections has been completed. Among them, 1985 candidates are valid, and 731 candidates have been declared invalid by the Election Commission (EC).
Election Commission (EC) Additional Secretary Ashok Kumar Debnath gave this information on Monday (December 4) evening.
EC Additional Secretary Ashok Kumar Debnath said those whose candidatures have been rejected can appeal from December 5 to December 9. The appeal hearing will start on December 10. will continue until December 15.
Regarding the reason for the cancellation, EC Joint Secretary Md. Mahbubar Rahman said there are many reasons. However, there are complications related to the signatures of 1 percent of independent candidates. Due to the default of loan bills and dual citizenship, the nomination papers of many have been rejected.
Meanwhile, the candidates can apply to the Election Commission (EC) on Tuesday, December 5, to get back the canceled nominations of the returning officers. For this purpose, the organization has 10 separate booths for 10 regions in Europe.
As per the schedule announced by the EC, appeals against the decision of the Returning Officer will be filed and disposed of before the Commission from December 5 to 15, with the last date for withdrawal of candidature being December 17. The returning officers will allot the symbols on December 18. The election campaign will continue till 8 a.m. on January 5. And voting will be held on January 7, 2024 (Sunday).
According to EC sources, the number of seats that the political parties have nominated is: Awami League 298 (the party submitted two nominations for five seats), Jatiya Party 286 (the party submitted two party nominations for 18 seats), Trinamool BNP 151, Jasad 91, Islami Oikyajot 45, Zaker Party 218, Islamic Front Bangladesh 39, Bangladesh Workers Party 33, Krishak Sramik Janata League 34, Bangladesh Islami Front 37, Gano Front 25, Gano Forum 9, and Jamiat Islam Bangladesh 1.
Besides, National People’s Party 142, Bangladesh Muslim League 2, Bangladesh Khilafat Movement 13, Bangladesh Tariqat Federation 47, Jatiya Party (JP) 20, Bangladesh Samyabadi Dal 06, Demokrati Party 12, Bangladesh National Awami Party 6, Alternative Dhara Bangladesh 14, Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal 1, Bangladesh Jatiya Party 13, Bangladesh Kalyan Party 18, Bangladesh Khilafat Majlis 1, Bangladesh Muslim League BML 5, Bangladesh Cultural Liberation Alliance 74, Bangladesh Nationalist Front BNF 55, Bangladesh Congress 116, Bangladesh Nationalist Movement BNM 49, and Bangladesh Supreme Party 82 Besides, 747 people submitted nomination papers as independent candidates.
It should be noted that the number of voters in the 12th National Parliament election is 11 crore, 96 lakh, 91 thousand, and 633 people. And there are 42 thousand 103 polling stations.
