With campaigning set to begin on January 22, the Election Commission yesterday reinstated the candidacies of 421 aspirants who had appealed the cancellation of their nominations.

A total of 51 aspirants, including AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad, assistant secretary general of Jamaat, and independent candidate Tasnim Jara, regained their candidacy yesterday as the Election Commission began reviewing appeals against returning officers’ decisions.

Returning officers have cancelled 723 nominations out of 2,568 submitted across the country, the Election Commission (EC) said yesterday.

Verification of 238 nomination papers starts ahead of February 12 polls

Jatiya Party leaders loyal to Raushan Ershad have expressed concern over GM Quader’s indecision over taking part in the January 7 national election.

A total of 234 aspirants file appeals with the Election Commission as their nomination papers were cancelled by the returning officers during scrutiny.