The Election Commission (EC) has cancelled 723 nomination papers in 300 constituencies nationwide, citing discrepancies and concealment of information in candidate affidavits. The decision affects several prominent political figures as the country prepares for its 13th parliamentary elections on 12 February.
EC announced the cancellations on Sunday after completing a four-day scrutiny process. Candidates whose nominations were rejected at this preliminary stage have the opportunity to file appeals between 5 and 9 January.
According to EC data, 3,406 individuals from 51 registered political parties and independent candidates collected nomination papers, of whom 2,568 submitted nominations and 1,842 were deemed valid.
EC earlier reported that 2,582 candidates filed nominations on 28 and 29 December, the days officially allocated for submission. Some of the cancelled nominations include high-profile political leaders. Returning officers cited errors in affidavit information, loan defaults, dual citizenship complications, concealment of information, and discrepancies in supporting voter details as grounds for rejection, while allowing candidates the opportunity to appeal.
In Chattogram-5, Anisul Islam Mahmud, chairman of a faction of Jatiya Party (JaPa), had his nomination rejected due to a mismatch of signatures between the party nomination paper and the signature submitted to EC. In Bogura-2 (Shibganj), Mahmudur Rahman Manna, president of Nagorik Oikya, had his nomination cancelled due to concealment of information and inconsistencies in his affidavit, although his nomination for Dhaka-18 remains valid. Other notable cancellations include AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad, Jamaat-e-Islami assistant secretary general, in Cox’s Bazar-2; Abdul Hoque, Jamaat candidate in Dhaka-2, due to loan default; Abdullah Al Kafi, general secretary of the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), in Cumilla-5; Tasnim Jara, independent and former NCP leader, in Dhaka-9, due to discrepancies in supporting voter information; Mostafizur Rahman Iran, chairman of the Labour Party, in Jhalakathi-1; and Ahmad Sazedul Haque Rubel, CPB candidate in Dhaka-15.
EC has outlined seven directives for candidates filing appeals, including submitting the appeal application as a memorandum in the prescribed format and providing detailed grounds for appeal. Applicants or nominated representatives may collect copies of appellate verdicts.
For convenience, the commission has established 10 appeal booths at its Secretariat in Agargaon: Booth 1 for Khulna region, Booth 2 for Rajshahi, Booth 3 for Rangpur, Booth 4 for Chattogram, Booth 5 for Cumilla, Booth 6 for Sylhet, Booth 7 for Dhaka, Booth 8 for Mymensingh, Booth 9 for Barishal, and Booth 10 for Faridpur.
EC plans to dispose of appeals between 10 and 18 January, with the last date for withdrawal of candidacy on 20 January. The final list of candidates and allocation of electoral symbols will be published on 21 January, and campaigning will begin on 22 January, continuing until 7:30 am on 10 February, ahead of voting on 12 February.
Of the 59 registered political parties, eight did not submit nominations and will not participate in the elections. These include Bangladesh Samyabadi Dal (ML), Krishak Sramik Janata League, Bangladesh National Awami Party, Workers Party of Bangladesh, Bikalpadhara Bangladesh, Bangladesh Tarikat Federation, Trinamool BNP, and Bangladesh Nationalist Movement (BNM).
Bangladesh Awami League, the country’s oldest political party, is out of the race as its activities have been banned by the interim government.
