The aspirants whose nomination papers were found invalid during scrutiny on Sunday can lodge appeal to the Election Commission (EC) by December 05.
As per the election schedule, returning and assistant returning officers scrutinised the nomination papers in cooperation with bank officials from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm on the day.
Secretary of the EC Helaluddin Ahmad said the aspirants whose nomination papers were found invalid can file appeal to the EC against disqualification for their candidature until Wednesday (December 05).
The EC will hold hearing on the appeals from December 06 to December 08. And after that they will take the decision about the pending appeals.
Nominees, their agents, lawyers and supporters can be present during the selection of nomination papers. They will also be able to check the nomination forms.
Returning officers will scrutinise the nomination papers in front of all. They will also have the right to decide on the validity of nomination papers over any objections or other logical reasons.
If he or she is not satisfied with the decision to be taken by the EC, they can go to court, according to the Election Commission.
The aggrieved candidates can appeal to the commission by providing necessary information.
EC's joint secretary Farhad Ahmad Khan told the media that the aggrieved candidates can appeal to the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC).
"The commission officials have already sent a list of the aspirants to the Bangladesh Bank. They will scrutinise the relevant papers. The commission will finalise the candidates after getting the central bank's reports," he said.
Aspirants from 39 political parties have submitted a total of 3,065 nomination papers to the EC for contesting the general election slated for December 30.
The last date for withdrawal of nomination papers is December 09 while distribution of election symbols on December 10.
The High Court (HC) in a verdict last week observed that according to section 66 (2)(d) of the constitution, no one sentenced to two years or more in prison can compete in the elections unless the sentence was stayed or overturned on appeal.
talhabinhabib@yahoo.com