The Election Commission has declared 1,842 candidates valid while 723 others invalid for the country’s 300 constituencies as the five-day scrutiny process of nomination papers ended on Sunday.
During the scrutiny started on December 30, the returning officers accepted the nomination papers of 1,842 contestants and rejected that of 723 others, according to the statistics of the Election Commission.
Besides, the scrutiny process ended without the examination of three nomination papers of late BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia, submitted in Feni-1, Bogura-7 and Dinajpur-3 constituencies.
Earlier, a total of 2,568 aspirants submitted nomination papers in the 300 constituencies within the deadline of December 29 last to contest the 13th parliamentary election.
Aggrieved aspirants now have scope to file appeal petitions with the Election Commission, challenging the decisions of the 69 returning officers – two divisional commissioners (Dhaka and Chattogram), 64 district deputy commissioners and three regional election officers— over the acceptance and rejection of nomination papers from Monday (January 05) to January 09.
The EC, headed by Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin, will hear and dispose of the appeals at Nirbachan Bhaban in the capital between January 10 and 18.
2 candidates each in 9 constituencies:
Following the scrutiny, nine constituencies have the lowest number of valid candidates, with only two each, including Nilphamari-3, Bogura-6, Rajshahi-4 and 5, Pirojpur-1, Sherpur-2, Netrokona-5, Dhaka-2, and Chattogram-3.
Twenty-two constituencies have three valid candidates, such as Thakurgaon-1, Joypurhat-2, Bogura-2 and 7, Rajshahi-1, 3 and 6, Sirajganj-3, Meherpur-1 and 2, Jashore-6, Magura-2, Satkhira-4, Tangail-7, Jamalpur-1 and 2, Mymensingh-7, Manikganj-2, Shariatpur-3, Habiganj-2, Chattogram-15, and Cox’s Bazar-1.
Highest 14 candidate in Dhaka-5:
Meanwhile, at least 10 valid candidates were found in 20 constituencies, including Natore-1, Sirajganj-6, Khulna-1, Dhaka-5, 7, 9, 12, 16 and 17, Gazipur-2, Narayanganj-3 and 4, Gopalganj-3, Madaripur-1, Brahmanbaria-1, 2, 5 and 6, and Noakhali-5 and 6.
The Dhaka-5 constituency has the highest number of 14 candidates, followed by 11 candidates each in Dhaka-9 and 12, Brahmanbaria-2, and Noakhali-5 and 6.
To receive the appeal petitions, the EC has already installed 10 booths for its 10 administrative regions (eight divisions, Faridpur and Cumilla regions) on the premise of Nirbachan Bhaban.
The Election Commission also issued seven instructions to file an appeal, challenging the decision of the returning officer concerned over the acceptance or rejection of a nomination paper during the security.
According to the instructions, appeals must be submitted in the form of a memorandum addressed to the Election Commission using the prescribed format.
At the time of filing an appeal, candidates must mention the date of acceptance or rejection of the nomination, clearly state the grounds of appeal and submit an attested copy of the returning officer’s order.
The appeal must be submitted in a total of seven copies, including one original. Candidates shall submit the appeals at the designated booths set up at the Election Commission Secretariat, based on their respective electoral regions.
To obtain a copy of the appellate authority’s verdict, candidates must submit an application using a prescribed form, which will be available at the central appeal booths of the Election Commission. The appellant or a duly authorised representative will be allowed to collect the verdict copy.
The Election Commission on December 12 last declared the schedule to arrange the 13th national election and the referendum on July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) Implementation Order simultaneously on February 12, 2026.
The last date for the withdrawal of candidature is January 20. The election campaign will start on January 22 and continue till 48 hours before the balloting period (7:30am on February 10).