As many as 786 nominations has been cancelled in the 300 parliamentary seats on Sunday (Dec), when returning officers across the country scrutinised applications filed by candidates/
It’s over 25 percent of the nominations out of the total 3,065 filed – including those on party tickets and independent candidates – until November 28.
According to figures by the Election Commission Secretariat, a total of 2,279 aspirants were cleared for the Dec 30 race by the 66 returning officers across the country.
However, the aspirants whose nomination papers were cancelled can file appeals with the Election Commission by Wednesday (Dec 5).
Hearing of those appeals will be held on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
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.

 Many candidates of BNP and its allies, including Khaleda Zia and many other front-ranking leaders, were declared invalid on Sunday by the Election Commission during scrutiny.

They include BNP Vice-chairmen Morshed Khan, Mir Nasir and Giasuddin Quader Chowdhury, BNP chairperson’s adviser Amanullah Aman, Krishak Sramik Janata League (KSJL) president Abdul Kader Siddiqui, ex-minister Barrister Aminul Haque, former Finance Minister Shah AMS Kibria’s son and Gano Forum runner Reza Kibria and Golam Maula Rony, who recently joined BNP.
In Dhaka, the returning officer declared BNP leader Amamnullah Aman’s nomination illegal for Dhaka-2 constituency as he was convicted in a corruption case.
Besides, the nominations of BNP’s Dhaka-6 candidate and ex-Mayor Sadek HossainK hoka’s son Ishraque Hossain, Dhaka-1 runner Khandaker Abu Ashfaq and Dhaka-20 contender Sultan Ahmed were also revoked.
In Tangail, the nomination papers of KSJL chief Abdul Kader Siddiqui for Tangail-4 and Tangail-8 constituencies were rejected on charge of loan default, said returning officer Shahidul Islam.
Besides, the nominations two BNP runners — Fakir Mahbub Anam Swapan and former state minister Nur Mohammad Khan — for Tangail-1 and Tangail-6 seats respectively were also declared invalid on charge of loan default.
In Chattogram, the returning officer cancelled the nomination of BNP leader and former Foreign Minister Morshed Khan for Chattogram-8 constituency on charge of not clearing the electricity bill.
The returning officer also rejected the nominations of Giasuddin Quader Chowdhury for Chattogram-2 and Chattogram-7 while his son Samir Quader Chowdhury for Chattogram-6 due to loan default.
The nominations of BNP candidates Mir Nasir and his son Mir Helal for Chattogram-5, BNP joint secretary general Aslam Chowdhury for Chattogram-4 and Mostafa Kamal Pasha for Chattogram-3 were also annulled on charge of loan default.
In Patuakhali, the nomination of former Awami League MP Golam Maula Rony for Patuakhali-3 seat was cancelled as he did not put his signature on the affidavit.
On Nov 26, Rony joined BNP consciously deserting his party Awami League. Later, he got the BNP’s ticket for the general election.
In Habiganj, the returning officer cancelled the nomination of Gano Forum candidate Reza Kibria for Habiganj-1 constituency due to loan default.
In Natore, returning officer Shah Reaz turned down the nomination of BNP’s organising secretary Ruhul Quddus Talukder Dulu for Natore-2 seat as he was convicted in two cases.
However, his wife Sabina Yesmin’s candidature in the same constituency has been declared valid.
Besides, Jamaat leader Delwar Hossain Khan’s nomination for Natore-4 seat was rejected by the returning officer.
In Rajshahi, the returning officer annulled the nomination papers of former BNP minister Barrister Aminul Haque for Rajshahi-1.
In Kishoreganj, the nomination of BNP’s Kishoreganj-2 candidate retired army major Md Akhtaruzzaman was cancelled on charge of loan default.
Besides, nominations of BNP’s four other candidates - M Shariful Islam and Khaled Saifullah (Kishoreganj-1), Saiful Islam Sumon(Kishoreganj-3) and Suranjan Gosh (Kishoreganj-4) -– were also cancelled.
Manikganj returning officer rejected the nomination papers of its four aspirants questioning the authenticity of Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir's signature during the scrutiny.
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 seats for her conviction in two graft case.