Khaleda Zia's nomination papers cancelled over involvement in corruption cases

Bangladeshi ex-Prime Minister Khaleda Zia's nomination papers for contesting in the general elections slated for December 30 were cancelled on Sunday.

The Election Commission appointed Returning officers (ROs) cancelled her nomination papers for contesting in three constituencies on the ground of her conviction in two corruption cases, Xinhua news agency reported.

Apart from Khaleda Zia, ROs who are scrutinizing 3,065 nominations also cancelled nomination papers filed by dozens of candidates on various grounds including convictions.

Bangladesh's apex court on Wednesday upheld a ban for convicts from running in the general elections.

The country's major opposition alliance led by Zia's Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has decided to contest the parliamentary polls.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's ruling Bangladesh Awami League party, which rose to power with a landslide election victory in early 2009 and won its second term in 2014, is facing challenges from Zia's BNP and its allies, which boycotted the 2014 elections.

(With inputs from agencies.)