EC nomination appeal hearings enter day three
Jamaat's Chattogram-9 aspirant AKM Fazlul Haque's nomination appeal rejected
The Election Commission (EC) entered its third consecutive day of nomination appeal hearings today (12 January) for the upcoming parliamentary election.
The proceedings, reviewing appeals against the decisions of returning officers, began at 10am in the EC auditorium in Agargaon, Dhaka, with the full commission, led by Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin.
The review is scheduled to deliberate until 5pm. The day's agenda covers appeals numbered 141 through 210.
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During the day's hearings, the EC rejected the appeal of the Jamaat-e-Islami's Chattogram-9 (Kotwali-Bakalia) aspirant, AKM Fazlul Haque.
AKM Fazlul Haque's nomination had previously been cancelled by the returning officer and Chattogram divisional commissioner, Md Ziauddin, due to complexities regarding dual citizenship — a disqualification under the country's amended Representation of the People Order (RPO).
Speaking to reporters after the hearing, AKM Fazlul Haque expressed his frustration, alleging "discrimination" in the commission's decision-making.
"I have been treated unfairly. Many BNP candidates with dual citizenship issues were cleared despite failing to submit the necessary documents, yet the commission upheld the RO's decision in my case," he claimed.
Fazlul added that he will consult with his lawyers to challenge the decision in the High Court.
Md Ruhul Amin Mollik, director (public relations) of the EC Secretariat, told BSS that tomorrow, appeals numbered 211 to 280 will be heard, and the process will continue until 18 January.
EC officials said copies of the rulings from the hearings on 10 and 11 January and today can be collected from the reception desk of Nirbachan Bhaban.
Additionally, results are being displayed on monitors immediately after each hearing, and copies of the rulings are being sent to the concerned parties via email.
First 2 days
A total of 645 appeals have been filed with the Election Commission against the acceptance and rejection of nomination papers for this election.
The hearings are part of a marathon session scheduled by the EC to dispose of 645 appeals filed against the decisions of returning officers.
The first two days of hearings saw a significant number of candidates regaining their eligibility. Yesterday, the second day of proceedings, the EC approved 58 nominations, rejected seven, and kept six under review.
On the opening day, 10 January, some 51 candidates had their candidacies restored.
