Decision on dual nationals’ eligibility in elections due today

The Election Commission (EC) is expected to announce today its decision on whether individuals holding dual citizenship will be allowed to contest the upcoming national election.

EC sources said that nearly all pending appeals concern dual citizenship matters, with no ruling yet issued on those applications. The commission is likely to deliver its verdict later on Sunday. Today is also the final day of appeal hearings for candidates whose nomination papers were rejected during scrutiny by returning officers ahead of the parliamentary polls.

On Saturday, the eighth day of hearings, the EC settled 112 appeals, approving 45. Of these, 43 were approved against the rejection of nomination papers, while two were approved against the acceptance of nominations.

The commission dismissed 37 appeals, including 13 challenging nomination cancellations and 24 contesting the acceptance of nomination papers.

Under the revised election schedule, appeal hearings are being conducted from January 10 to 18, while the deadline for withdrawal of candidacy is January 20.