Dhaka, Jan. 13 -- The Election Commission on Tuesday allowed 53 previously rejected aspirants to contest the February-12 national election after hearings, while two Jamaat candidates for Dhaka-2 and Cumilla-3 were declared invalid.

But the EC as the Electoral Appeal Tribunal turned down the appeal petitions of 15 other aspirants, including BNP aspirant TS Ayub in Jashore-4. With the EC's decisions, they remain kept out of the electoral race.

Besides, the Commission, chaired by Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin, rejected two other petitions filed against valid candidates resulting in the validity of their candidature remain upheld.

The 53 aspirants include two Jamaat candidates Abdul Haque in Dhaka-2 and Yusuf Sohel in Cumilla...