Sixty more aspirants get back candidacy

Sixty more aspirants regained their candidacy yesterday as the Election Commission declared their nomination appeals valid.

The EC heard a total of 104 appeals on the sixth day of hearings against returning officers’ decisions to reject nomination papers.

Of these, 29 were rejected, EC Director (Public Relations) Ruhul Amin Mollik said in a press release issued last night.

The commission also declared invalid five appeals filed against the validity of nomination papers. As a result, the candidacies in Pirojpur-1, Sunamganj-3, Jashore-4, Chattogram-14 and Chattogram-7 will remain valid.

Of the 104 appeals heard, 37 independent candidates regained their candidacy, while 17 independent aspirants lost theirs. The commission kept 10 appeals pending for further hearings for various reasons.

Over the last six days, the EC has heard a total of 484 appeals, approving 337 and rejecting 110.

The EC began hearing appeals earlier this month. The hearings, led by Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin along with four other commissioners, will continue daily until January 18.

As of yesterday, a total of 338 aspirants have regained their candidacy following the hearings.

In Pirojpur-1, Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Masud Saidi filed an appeal against BNP candidate Alamgir Hossain. The EC rejected the appeal and upheld Alamgir Hossain’s candidacy.

In Sunamganj-3, independent candidate Anwar Hossain appealed against BNP candidate Kaiser M. Ahmed, challenging his dual citizenship. After the hearing, the EC dismissed the appeal and confirmed Kaiser M. Ahmed’s candidacy.

In Chattogram-4, an appeal filed by Trust Bank PLC against the BNP candidate’s nomination on grounds of loan default remains pending until the 17th.

In Jashore-2, BNP candidate Sabira Sultana appealed to uphold the cancellation of Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Mosleh Uddin Farid’s nomination. This appeal has also been kept pending until the 17th.

In Jashore-4, independent candidate Farhan Sajid appealed against the validity of independent candidate Motiar Rahman Farazi’s nomination. The EC rejected the appeal and upheld Motiar Rahman Farazi’s candidacy.

In Chattogram-14, Liberal Democratic Party candidate Omar Faruk appealed against the validity of BNP candidate Jasim Uddin Ahmed’s nomination. The EC dismissed the appeal and confirmed Jasim Uddin Ahmed’s candidacy.

In Chattogram-7, People’s Leasing and Financial Services appealed against the validity of BNP candidate Hummam Quader Chowdhury’s nomination papers. After the hearing, the EC ruled that Hummam Quader Chowdhury’s candidacy will remain valid.