Dhaka, Jan. 10 -- The Election Commission has begun hearing appeals against decisions made by returning officers during the scrutiny of nomination papers for the upcoming parliamentary election.

The hearings are taking place at the EC headquarters in Dhaka's Agargaon and are being chaired by Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin.

Candidates who have appealed, as well as their representatives, are attending Saturday's hearings.

A total of 645 appeals have been filed challenging the rejection or acceptance of nomination papers. The hearings are scheduled to continue until Jan 18.

The EC has published a timetable for the proceedings, with batches of appeals to be heard each day. It said rulings would be issued in stages, with decis...