Dhaka, Jan. 11 -- The Election Commission on Sunday cleared the way for 58 previously rejected aspirants to contest the upcoming national election on February 12.

Among them is Nagorik Oikya convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna for Bogura-2, two Jamaat-e-Islami nominees for Chandpur-2 and Bogura-2, and six Jatiya Party aspirants, raising the stakes in several key constituencies ahead of the February 12 polls.

Acting as the Electoral Appeal Tribunal, the Election Commission, chaired by Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin heard a total of 71 appeal petitions at Nirbachan Bhaban in the city on Sunday.

Of the petitions, the Commission granted 58 petitions, rejected seven others and kept six petitions pending to be settled later, said EC ...