BD Corespondent: The Election Commission has rejected nomination papers of some heavyweight politicians during scrutiny of documents on Sunday.

Bangladesh Election Commission has rejected nomination papers of several heavyweight politicians including Bangladesh Nationalist Party chairperson Khaleda Zia, Krishak Sramik Janata League president Abdul Kader Siddiqui, Jatiya Party secretary general ABM Ruhul Amin Howlader and Trinamool BNP president Nazmul Huda during scrutiny of documents.

Nomination papers of BNP leader Amanullah Aman, former Awami League MP Golam Maula Rony who submitted nomination with BNP ticket, Gono Forum candidate economist Reza Kibria, and Ganajagaran Mancha convener Imran H Sarkar were also cancelled.

The general election is scheduled to be held on December 30 this year.

BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia cannot contest the 11th parliamentary elections as the Election Commission on Sunday ditched her all the three nomination papers filed for contesting the polls from Feni 1, Bogura 6 and Bogura 7 constituencies for her conviction in two graft cases.

In Feni, returning officer Md Wahiduzzaman turned down the nomination papers of Khaleda and three others in the constituency.

In Bogura, Foyez Ahmed rejected the nomination papers of the BNP chairperson from the Bogura 6 and Bogura 7 constituencies in the afternoon.

The EC also rejected the nominations of two other BNP candidates from Bogura 7 constituency.

On October 29, Khaleda was convicted and sentenced to seven years’ rigorous imprisonment by a special court in Dhaka in Zia Charitable Trust corruption case.

Khaleda landed in jail after being sentenced to five years' imprisonment in Zia Orphanage Trust case by the same court on February 8. The High Court later on October 30 extended her jail terms in the case to 10 years.

The commission on Sunday ditched ruling Awami League’s ally Jatiya Party secretary general Ruhul Amin Howleder’s nomination paper for contesting the 11th parliamentary elections from Patuakhali 1 constituency.

Returning officer Matiul Islam Chowdhury rejected the nomination paper as the Jatiya Party leaders is a defaulter of bank loan.

Nomination papers of Krishak Sramik Janata League president Abdul Kader Siddiqui for Tangail 4 and Tangail 8 for loan default.

Trinamool BNP president Nazmul Huda’s nomination paper for Dhaka 17 constituency was cancelled for loan default.

The election commission also rejected nomination paper of BNP leader Amanullah Aman for Dhaka 20 for a corruption case pending against him.

The commission also cancelled nomination paper of Gono Forum candidate Reza Kibria for Habiganj 1 for loan default.

The commission can cancelled nomination paper of Golam Maula Rony for Patuakhali 3 for putting no signature on the affidavit.

The commission cancelled nomination paper of Ganajagaran Mancha spokesperson Imran H Sarkar for not having necessary public support.

The BNP alleged that the returning officer of Manikganj rejected nomination papers of its aspirants in three constituencies in the district questioning the authenticity of Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir’s signatures during the scrutiny.

BNP chairperson’s adviser Bijon Kanti Sarkar submitted a complaint with the chief election commissioner signed by BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul saying that the returning officer cancelled BNP aspirants’ nomination papers questing signatures of the party's general secretary.

After submitting the complaint at Nirbachan Bhaban, Bijon Kanti told reporters that Fakhrul also informed the matter to the Election Commission making phone call to the commission’s secretary.

Later the secretary suggested BNP to file appeal against the decision, informing that the commission has nothing to do now in this stage as the nomination papers have already been rejected, Bijon said.

‘The Deputy Commissioner of Manikganj (also the returning officer) do not accept my signature given in the nomination papers, which is unexpected. I firmly inform that I myself put signatures in all the nomination papers and there is no scope for doubt,’ Fakhrul said in his complaint.

Fakhrul also asked the EC to issue directives to all returning officers, including Manikganj one to accept his signature.