Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal on Monday directed the returning officers to be careful in cancelling nomination papers of candidates in any election.
The CEC came up with the directives while speaking at a training programme organised by the Election Commission at its office in capital’s Agargaon. The training programme was organised for the returning officers and assistant returning officers of city corporation elections.
After the training programme held, the CEC talked to the journalists and said, "At times, we receive appeals from candidates regarding rejection of their nomination papers. It would be easier for us to make decisions if our returning officers are careful in their assessment before cancelling any nomination paper."
The CEC said, "We are not the final authority. Our decision can be appealed to the High Court. If the decision given by our returning officers is correct, it will be upheld in the High Court as well."
"Therefore, returning officers and assistant returning officers will be trained especially on the correct process of invalidating nomination and how to document their decision in writing."
He further said, "If the returning officers are careful in cancelling nominations, it will be helpful for us all."
