Candidates to get justice on nomination appeals: CEC

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin has assured that candidates who have filed appeals against the decisions of returning officers following the scrutiny of nomination papers for the parliamentary election will receive justice, reports bdnews24.com.

He made the assurance while visiting the appeal booth at the Nirbachan Bhaban in the capital's Agargaon on Thursday.

"We believe in justice; we will enact justice," the CEC said.

"After the hearings, you will see that we will make decisions in accordance with the law and the rules. Everyone is equal under the law, and everyone is bound to obey it."

More than 2,500 nomination papers were submitted by party-backed and independent candidates to contest the election.

After scrutiny between December 30 and January 4, returning officers rejected 723 candidatures. The number of valid candidates currently stands at 1,842.

Candidates were disqualified on several grounds, including loan defaulting, dual citizenship, discrepancies in case-related information, and a one per cent mismatch in the supporter list.

The appeal process against the returning officers' decisions began on Monday. By Thursday -- the fourth day -- 295 candidates had filed appeals over the previous three days. Appeals will continue until January 9.