Dhaka: The nomination papers of 141 BNP aspirants and that of three Awami League contestants were rejected by the returning officers across the country during Sunday’s scrutiny, said the Election Commission on Monday.

Now, the number of BNP’s valid candidates came down to 555 while that of AL to 278, according to data compiled by the Election Commission, reports the UNB.

During the scrutiny, the nomination papers of 38 HM Ershad-led Jatiya Party were cancelled. So, the number of Jatiya Party’s valid candidates stood at 195.

However, no nomination paper was rejected in 35 constituencies across the country.

The returning officers on Sunday cancelled 786 nomination papers out of total 3,065 submitted by contestants in 300 constituencies to contest the 11th parliamentary elections slated for December 30.

A total of 696 BNP runners submitted nomination papers in 295 constituencies and 281 AL aspirants in 264 constituencies within the deadline that expired on November 28.

The highest 13 nomination papers out of 23 were cancelled in Kurigram-4. Besides, 11 nomination papers were rejected in Dhaka-17 and Brahmanbaria-2 each while 10 in Faridpur-4, Mymensingh-3, Brahmanbaria-3 and Cumilla-3 constituencies apiece.

After the scrutiny, there are lowest two valid candidates in Madaripur-1 while highest 17 in Cumilla-3 constituency.

There are over 60 constituencies having at least 10 valid candidates across the country.

On Monday, 82 aggrieved aspirants submitted petitions to the Election Commission challenging the cancellation of their nomination papers by returning officers during scrutiny.

Of the petitions, 81 were filed against the rejection of nomination papers while one was against the acceptance of nomination paper.

The EC, which also has the appellate jurisdiction, will receive applications on Tuesday and Wednesday as well.

The EC will dispose of the appeals by December 8 following hearings to be held at the EC Secretariat on December 6-8.

The last date of the withdrawal of candidature is December 9 while the election symbols will be allocated among candidates on December 10.