The Election Commission (EC) is set to conclude today the hearings on appeals filed against returning officers’ decisions over nomination papers for the upcoming 13th Jatiya Sangsad elections. The commission will also announce its decision on whether candidates holding dual citizenship will be eligible to contest the national polls.

All remaining appeals will be heard on Sunday, with proceedings scheduled to begin at 10am at the auditorium of the Election Building in Agargaon, Dhaka.

On Saturday, the eighth day of the appeal hearings, the EC heard 112 appeals. Of these, 45 were allowed—43 against the rejection of nomination papers and two against the acceptance of nominations. A total of 37 appeals were dismissed, including 13 challenging nomination rejections and 24 contesting nomination acceptances.

During the hearings, nine appeals were withdrawn, while two appellants remained absent. The commission kept 19 appeals pending.

According to the election schedule, January 20 is the last date for withdrawal of candidacy. Returning officers will publish the final list of candidates and allocate electoral symbols on January 21. Election campaigning will begin on January 22 and continue until 7:30am on February 10.

Voting will be held on Thursday, February 12, from 7:30am to 4:30pm.