Number of elected falls to 153

An independent candidate yesterday got nod from the Election Commission (EC) to contest in the January 5 election, reducing the number of MPs elected unopposed unofficially to 153 from 154.
The candidature of ASM Quamrul Islam from Comilla-8 constituency had been cancelled by the returning officer (RO). Later, he challenged the decision at the EC that upheld the RO's verdict.
Then, he filed a writ petition with the High Court (HC). A vacation bench of the HC delivered a verdict on Thursday directing the EC to reconsider its decision.
Finally, the EC yesterday declared his candidacy valid and cleared the way for him to contest in the election.
In Comilla-8, Jatiya Party-nominated Nurul Islam Milon was the lone candidate.
The EC in last two days declared the candidature of three aspirants valid following the HC direction. The other two candidates are--Jatiya Party nominated-Zafar Iqbal Siddique of Nilphamari-1 and Awami League-nominated Mahfuzur Rahman of Chittagong-3.
Their candidacy had been cancelled on different grounds like defaulting on loans.
Farhad Hossain, a senior assistant secretary to the EC Secretariat, said the EC would have to print ballot papers again for these constituencies as the already printed ones  did not contain  the names of these three candidates.  
The voting will be held in 147 constituencies, amid a boycott by the BNP-led opposition alliance.