BNP’s complaints about nominations being scrapped without valid cause are completely immaterial, said Law Minister Anisul Huq.
“It is the Election Commission’s job to oversee whether the cancellation of nomination was targeted,” he told the media on Thursday (Nov 6).
“If they have any complaints, they can appeal to the EC,” Huq added.
As many as 786 nominations has been cancelled in the 300 parliamentary seats on Sunday (Dec 2), when returning officers across the country scrutinised applications filed by candidates.
Among the 39 registered parties, the Awami League fielded 281 candidates in 264 seats, the BNP 696 in 295 seats, HM Ershad’s Jatiya Party 233 in 210 seats and all the other parties floated 1,357 candidates.
Scores of candidates from BNP and its allies, including Khaleda Zia and many other front-ranking leaders, were declared invalid on Sunday by the Election Commission during scrutiny.
BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia cannot contest the 11th parliamentary elections as the Election Commission on Sunday ditched all three of her nomination papers filed for contesting the polls from Feni-1, Bogura-6 and Bogura-7 seats for her conviction in two graft case.