Dhaka, Jan 10 (V7N)- The Election Commission (EC) has started hearing appeals against the decisions of Returning Officers to cancel candidacies for the upcoming 13th National Parliament elections.

The appeal hearing began at 10:00 am on Saturday (January 10) at the Election Commission office. Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) MM Nasiruddin is presiding over the hearing.

According to the EC, a total of 70 appeals are scheduled to be heard by 5:00 pm today.

As of Friday, 723 candidates had applied to regain their cancelled nominations. However, 78 candidates later withdrew from the election process. As a result, the appeals of 645 candidates have been finalized for hearing.

The Election Commission stated that the hearing and disposal of all appeals will continue until January 18. Candidates will have the opportunity to withdraw their nominations until January 20.

After the completion of the withdrawal process, election symbols will be finalized, and the official election campaign will begin thereafter.

END/SMA/AJ