Dhaka: The High Court on Tuesday asked the authorities concerned to accept the nomination paper of BNP standing committee member Mirza Abbas and complete the scrutiny within 24 hours.

The HC bench of Justice FRM Nazmul Ahasan and Justice KM Kamrul Kader passed the order following a writ petition filed by Mirza Abbas, reports the UNB.

Advocate Zainul Abedin and Advocate Ehsanur Rahman stood for the petitioner.

The HC also issued a rule asking the government to explain why the refusal to accept of Mirza Abbas’ nomination paper should not be declared illegal.

The Chief Election Commissioner, Dhaka returning officer and three others have been made respondents to the rule.

On November 28, the returning officer refused to accept the nomination paper of Mirza Abbas as he went to the returning officer’s office after 5 pm on the last date of submission of nomination papers.

Later, he submitted the nomination paper to Chief Election Commissioner on December 1 but it was not sent to the returning officer concerned for scrutiny on December 2.

Mirza Abbas filed a writ petition with the High Court on December 3 challenging the Election Commission’s decision.