The Bangladesh Election Commission (EC) has resolved most disputes over dual citizenship among parliamentary candidates ahead of the 13th national election scheduled for February 12. Although several nominations were initially canceled by returning officers, the EC reinstated the candidacy of 21 out of 24 individuals after appeals, while three were rejected and one remains pending. The commission adopted a flexible approach, accepting proof of citizenship renunciation applications, affidavits, and fee submissions as sufficient for validation.

A total of 2,568 nomination papers were submitted for the election, with 723 initially rejected. The EC received 645 appeals and held nine days of hearings, approving 422 and rejecting 195. Chief Election Commissioner A.M.M. Nasir Uddin stated that the hearings were conducted impartially. The final day for candidate withdrawal is January 20, followed by symbol allocation and campaign commencement.

Separately, a citizen named Mamun Hawlader filed a complaint alleging that the EC’s acceptance of renunciation applications without full legal completion violates constitutional and Supreme Court directives, raising questions about the commission’s legal authority to reconsider appeal decisions.