Following the scrutiny of nomination papers for the women reserved seats in the 10th parliament, the Election Commission has cancelled the nominations of Awami League nominated Sabiha Nahar Begum and Jatiya Party nominated Khorshed Ara Haque for defaulting telephone bills.
Returning Officer of the polls and Joint Secretary Jesmin Tuli confirmed the reporters yesterday, adding that the rest 48 candidates’ nominations remained valid.
Bangladesh Telecommunications Company Limited (BTCL) will get Tk223,488 from Khorshed Ara and Tk11,835 from Sabiha Nahar.
However, these two candidates could appeal to the commission on Wednesday [today] and the EC would decide following a hearing in this regard, Tuli added.
According to the laws, the candidates have to clear their bills and loans before seven days of filing nomination papers.
The returning officer also said if the decision about the matter remained the same after the hearing, the commission would announce reschedule of the polls for these two reserved seats after 21 days of publishing gazette of the rest 48 MPs.
EC officials said the commission would announce the rest 48 candidates as winners on March 18 the last date for withdrawing nomination papers, as there was no contestant in the polls.
Earlier, the commission asked the Bangladesh Bank for information on loan defaulters, as well as on bill defaulters from the BTCL, Wasa and other utility authorities.
Meanwhile, the AL led alliance submitted 41 nominations, Jatiya Party six and independent alliance three.