ছবি: স্বতন্ত্র প্রার্থী
As the thirteenth national parliamentary election approaches, the verification of nomination papers has triggered a nationwide wave of cancellations, particularly affecting independent candidates and reshaping the political landscape. Since the verification process began on January 1 in line with the election schedule, a significant number of nomination papers have been declared invalid during the second day alone, with most of the affected contenders being independents. Authorities cited multiple reasons for the cancellations, including missing or improper signatures on affidavits, inconsistencies in voter endorsement signatures, failure to produce educational certificates, incorrect or undisclosed legal case information, loan default issues, and various procedural shortcomings. From Chattogram to Khulna, Barishal to Cumilla, and from the northern districts to the coastal regions, candidates across nearly every part of the country have faced rejection, including party rebels and several well-known political figures. According to election data, a total of 2,569 candidates submitted nomination papers for 300 constituencies this year, many of whom are now facing uncertainty after the scrutiny stage. Once the verification process concludes, the timeline will move forward with appeals, withdrawal of candidacies, publication of the final candidate list, and symbol allocation, paving the way for official campaign activities. However, the scale of the cancellations has sparked fresh debate over administrative rigor, transparency, and the evolving dynamics of electoral competition, with observers suggesting that these developments could have a lasting impact on the overall election atmosphere.
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