786 candidates declared disqualified for election

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DHAKA, Dec 02, 2018 (BSS)-Nomination papers of at least 786 political leaders including BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, BNP leader Amanullah Aman and Krishak Sramik Janata League (KSJL) President Abdul Kader Siddique have been cancelled as returning officers found flaws in their documents.

The returning officers have declared 2,279 candidates qualified across the country for vying in the upcoming parliamentary election slated for December 30.

The candidates, however, will be able to lodge appeal with the Election Commission (EC) against their disqualification for candidacy by December 5.

The appeal process will begin from tomorrow and continue till December 5, Deputy Secretary of the EC Atiar Rahman said.

Hearing on those appeals will be held on December 6, 7 and 8, he said, adding that the candidates could go to the court, even if the Election Commission also rejects their nominations.

Three nomination papers of Khaleda Zia (Feni-1, Bogura-6 and Bogura-7) have been cancelled because of her conviction in two graft cases. Returning officer cancelled nomination paper of BNP leader Aman Ullah Aman (Dhaka-2) due to corruption case.

Nomination papers of KSJL president Kader Siddiqui (Tangail-4 and Tangail-8) and Gonoforum leader Reza Kibria (Habiganj-1) have been rejected as they are loan defaulters.

Jatiya Party Secretary General Ruhul Amin Hawlader (Patuakhali-1) has been declared disqualified on loan default charge while BNP candidate Golam Maula Roni (Patuakhali-3) has been disqualified as he did not put sign on affidavit.

A total of 2,567 aspirants from political parties and 498 independent candidates submitted nomination papers to the returning officers for contesting the national election.

According to the election schedule, last date for submitting nomination papers was November 28 and today was fixed for scrutinizing the papers.