Bangladesh
EC Nothing can be done without remedy from HC: EC Additional Secretary
Own Correspondent, Dhaka, 9 December 2023: Additional Secretary of the organization Ashok Kumar Debnath has said that the Election Commission has nothing to do about those who could not submit their nomination papers to be candidates for the 12th National Assembly elections on November 30. On the fourth day of the appeal against the cancellation of nomination papers, he told reporters this on Friday afternoon.
Ashok Kumar said, "If they cannot appear and submit the nomination papers on time. They went to the High Court, if the High Court gives instructions then the Returning Officer will accept the nomination papers. If they do not get a remedy from the High Court, we have nothing to do."
He told reporters, "Today is the fourth day of the appeal. Tomorrow the appeal will end. Those who have appealed will definitely get justice, 100%. Why worry here? You will get 100% justice in the appeal."
In response to the question whether the commission will consider if they apply to get back the candidature by solving minor mistakes, he said, "The commission will consider that, I cannot say in advance. The commission will definitely decide on their appeal with justice."
There have been some appeals challenging the validity of the nomination papers, he said, "Of course. It is in the law. See the RPO has been amended. Earlier there was an appeal against the rejection of the returning officer. In the RPO, there is not only the rejection of the returning officer. An appeal can be made against the decision of the Returning Officer. It will also appeal against acceptance, appeal against rejection. As per the law, the Commission will take the appropriate decision."
An independent candidate named Zakaria Masud of Comilla-3 constituency who failed to submit nomination today is seen going to EC for appeal. After the additional secretary's speech, he said, I sent the nomination papers to the concerned election office with all the documents at 3 pm on November 30, but they did not receive them. I went by myself at 3:30, requested a lot. But they did not submit the form.
