Dhaka Bureau: Today (Sunday) is the last day to withdraw the candidature of valid candidates in the 12th National Assembly elections.
Candidates can withdraw their candidature by applying to the Returning Officer during office hours on Sunday (December 17). And on Monday (December 18), the symbols will be allotted among the candidates. Candidates can start campaigning only after the allotment of symbols.
EC Additional Secretary Ashok Kumar Debnath said 2 thousand 716 nomination papers were filed in 300 seats. Of these, 731 were canceled by the returning officers during selection. And in the selection of returning officers, there were 1,985 valid candidates.
EC Secretary Md. Jahangir Alam said 35 appeals were filed against the acceptance of nomination papers through the Returning Officer. And there were 525 appeals against cancellation. A total of 560 appeals were filed between the two.
He said the Commission has allowed 280 appeals against the rejected appeals in six days (December 10 to 15). That is, 280 candidates have returned. And out of 35 appeals, five were allowed, two appeals were dismissed, and 28 were rejected. Thus, after the appeal hearing in the EC, the total number of valid candidates is 2,260. But this is not the final number.
EC officials said two benches have already been constituted in the High Court. There can be an appeal against the decision of the EC. It may decrease or increase the number of valid candidates.
As per the schedule, December 17 is the last date for withdrawal of candidature. Symbols will be allotted among the finalists on December 18. Candidates can campaign until 8 a.m. on January 5 with the symbol. And on January 7, the voting for the 12th parliamentary election will be held.
