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As many as 155 aggrieved aspirants lodged appeals before the Election Commission on Thursday, challenging the decisions of the returning officers (RO) over the cancellation and the acceptance of nomination papers in the upcoming national election slated for January 7.
With the 155 new petitioners, a total of 338 aspirants have so far challenged the ROs’ decisions after the EC started receiving petitions on Tuesday. The EC will also receive the appeals on Friday and Saturday.
Among 155 petitions, seven appeals were lodged against the acceptance of nomination papers by the returning officers.
Earlier, the EC received 42 appeals on Tuesday and 141 ones on Wednesday.
The full commission will hear the appeals and hand down its decisions from December 10 to 15.
A total of 2,716 aspirants including 747 independents submitted nomination papers in 300 constituencies throughout the country to run in the 12th parliamentary election.
But the returning officers have accepted 1985 nomination papers and rejected 731 others during the scrutiny conducted on December 1-4 last.
Most of the 731 nomination papers were rejected on three grounds -- mismatch in 1.0 per cent of voters’ signatures submitted by independent aspirants, loans and utility bills defaults and dual citizenship.
Out of 44 registered political parties, 29 parties are contesting the general election.
The last date for withdrawal of candidature is December 17 and the voting will be held from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm without any recess on January 7.