Dhaka, Jan 10 (V7N)- A total of 645 appeals have been filed with the Election Commission (EC) against the cancellation of candidatures by Returning Officers in the upcoming 13th National Parliament election. The hearing of these appeals began today, Saturday (January 10).

According to the EC, the appeal hearings will be held daily from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm at the auditorium of Nirbachan Bhaban in Agargaon, Dhaka, and will continue until January 18.

As per the schedule announced by the commission, appeals numbered 1 to 70 are being heard on the first day, Saturday. Appeals 71 to 140 will be heard on Sunday (January 11), 141 to 210 on Monday (January 12), and 211 to 280 on Tuesday (January 13). The Election Commission said that the date and time for hearing the remaining appeals will be announced later.

On the last day of nomination scrutiny, candidates from different parts of the country began submitting appeal applications to the Election Commission from the morning. Most of the appeals have been filed by independent candidates.

Sources said many nominations were cancelled due to failure to secure one percent voter support, signature mismatches, being loan defaulters, or incomplete nomination papers. The affected candidates were given an opportunity to rectify these shortcomings through the appeal process.

According to the election schedule, the last date for withdrawal of candidature is January 20. Election symbols will be allotted on January 21, and campaigning will officially begin on January 22.

END/SMA/AJ