The High Court has ordered the returning officer concerned to finish scrutinising BNP leader Mirza Abbas’ nomination paper within 24 hours.

High Court bench of Justice FRM Nazmul Ahasan and Justice KM Kamrul Kader passed the order on Tuesday (Dec 4) during the initial hearing of a writ.

The court also issued a rule asking why refusal to accept of Mirza Abbas' nomination paper should not be declared illegal.

The chief election commissioner (CEC), election commission secretary, joint-secretary (election conducting wing-2), Dhaka divisional returning officer have been asked to respond to the rule.

Senior lawyer Jainul Abedin and AKM Ehsanur Rahman moved for Abbas in the hearing.

On Nov 28, election official refused to accept the nomination paper of Mirza Abbas as he went to the returning officer's office after 5 pm.

Later, Abbas filed his nomination paper to CEC on Dec 1, but it was not sent to the concerned returning officer on Dec 2.

BNP standing committee member Abbas is a candidate who is looking to contest the election from Dhaka-9 constituency.