Special Correspondent :
The Election Commission on Sunday rejected nomination papers of dozens of political bigwigs, including former prime minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, during its scrutiny before clearing candidates for contesting the upcoming national elections.
All the three nominations of Khaleda Zia were rejected as she was convicted in two graft cases.
The returning officers (ROs) also rejected nomination papers of former foreign minister and BNP leader M Morshed Khan (Chattogram-8), Amanullah Aman (Dhaka-2), Afroza Abbas (Dhaka-9), Golam Maula Rony (Patuakhali-3), Aminul Haque (Rajshahi-1), Mir Nasir Uddin(Chattogram-5), Krishak Sramik Janata League (KSJL) President Abdul Kader Siddiqui Bir Uttam (Tangail-4), JaPa Secretary General Ruhul Amin Hawlader (Patuakhali-1) and Reza Kibria (Habiganj-4).
ROs have cancelled nomination papers of over 90 candidates of BNP-led 20 party alliance who submitted their candidature for contesting in the next general elections, according to the party sources.
The aspirants who have been declared ineligible to contest polls can file appeals against rejection of nomination papers by December 5.
Hearing on those appeals will be held on December 6, 7 and 8.
“The appeal process will begin from Monday and continue till Wednesday,” Atiar Rahman, Deputy Secretary of the Election Commission, told The New Nation on Sunday.
Returning Officer and Patuakhali Deputy Commissioner Md Matiul Islam Chowdhury cancelled the nomination paper of BNP candidate and former member of Parliament Golam Maula Rony who filed nomination for contesting polls from Patuakhali-1 Constituency.
Matiul Islam Chowdhury said the nomination paper of Rony was cancelled, as his signature was not found in the affidavit.
The nomination of Krishak Sramik Janata League President Abdul Kader Siddiqe was cancelled as he failed to repay bank loans.
Returning Officer and Tangail Deputy Commissioner Md Shahidul Islam said Kader Siddique’s nomination was cancelled, as he is a loan defaulter.
Returning Officer and Habiganj Deputy Commissioner Mahmudul Kabir Murad rejected the nomination on charges of his failure to pay loan against credit card of City Bank.
Reza Kibria recently joined Gano Forum and got nomination from the party.
“I have failed to renew the credit card by paying Tk 5,500 annual fees. “I didn’t receive any letter from the Bank as I was abroad. I will pay the dues tomorrow,” Reza Kibria told reporters.
He said, he would file appeal against the RO for reviving his candidature.
Returning Officer rejected nomination of JaPa Secretary General Ruhul Amin Hawlader as he is a loan defaulter.
The Returning Officer cancelled Ganajagaran Mancha spokesperson Imran H Sarker’s nomination application as an independent candidate from Kurigram-4 Constituency for not mentioning the specific number of his supporters.
“Imran’s nomination was rejected as he failed to fulfill the requirement of having support of at least 1 per cent voters in the respected constituency,” said District Returning Officer Sultana Parvin.
“There is no shortage of our supporters on the list. There may be errors in the number that can be corrected. I’ll appeal against it,” Imran H Sarker told media.
The nomination paper of much-talked-about independent candidate for Bogura-4 Constituency Ashraful Alam, popularly known as Hero Alom, was turned down by the Returning Officer as he could not properly submit the signatures of one per cent voters of his constituency.
Returning Officer Foyez Ahmed announced his nomination paper invalid.
He said Alom submitted the list of one percent voters of the constituency with his nomination form as per condition applicable for an independent contestant. “But during scrutiny we found there are some forged signatures. That’s why we’ve rejected his nomination form.”
Hero Alom said, he would make an appeal against the returning officer’s decision.
The ROs yesterday scrutinized 3,065 nomination papers.
The 11th Parliament will be held on December 30, as per the EC’s revised schedule.
As per the schedule, November 28 was the deadline to submit nomination papers, December 2 was the date for scrutiny and December 9 the last date for withdrawal.
