131 candidates file appeals with EC on final day

There was a heavy rush at the Election Commission, EC, throughout the day as candidates sought to regain their nominations by challenging returning officers’ decisions.

Even after the scheduled deadline of 5:00pm, applications continued to be accepted until 6:00pm at the central appeal booth set up in front of the Election Commission building in Agargaon, Dhaka.

From 10:00am to 6:00pm on the final day, a total of 131 candidates filed appeals with the EC.

The information was obtained from the temporary central appeal booth on Friday, November 9.

Officials in charge of the booth said the presence of candidates was significant from the morning. Although the official deadline was 5:00pm, all candidates who arrived at the Election Commission premises before that time were allowed to submit appeals, resulting in the process continuing until 6:00pm.

EC public relations wing director Ruhul Amin Mallik said all appeals from candidates who were present at the commission building by 5:00pm would be accepted, regardless of how long the process took.

According to EC officials, a total of 469 appeals have been filed with the Election Commission over the past four days against decisions made by returning officers. The highest number of appeals, 174, was filed on Thursday, November 8. Of those, 164 were against the rejection of nomination papers and 10 were against acceptance orders.

Election Commission sources said appeals could be filed from January 5 to January 9 under the revised schedule. Hearings on the appeals will be held from January 10 to January 18 at the Election Commission auditorium in Agargaon, basement level two. On average, around 70 appeals will be heard each day.

According to the election schedule, January 20 is the final date for withdrawal of candidacy. On January 21, returning officers will publish the final list of candidates and allocate symbols. Election campaigning will begin on January 22 and continue until 7:30am on February 10. Voting will be held on Thursday, February 12, from 7:30am to 4:30pm.