The process of filing nominations ended yesterday with a last-moment change in the list of BNP nominees as the party replaced a previously nominated candidate.

A number of candidates expressed dissatisfaction over a government order, according to which new MPs will not be able to import duty-free cars.

"We have been deprived of our privilege by the order imposing a bar to import of duty-free cars," ruling BNP candidate Shahana Rahman Rani told reporters at the EC Secretariat.

Another candidate, Sultana Ahmed, demanded cancellation of the government order. "Why should we be deprived of this privilege when all the lawmakers in this parliament were allowed to import duty-free cars?" she asked in an angry voice.

Selima Rahman, state minister for cultural affairs, filed her nomination, but said she is not very much interested in importing cars.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) on August 22 in an order said all the new MPs will be allowed to import one duty-free car, but the tenure of parliament must be at least two years from the day of their oath.

The current parliament, which began its journey on October 28, 2001, has only 14 months left of its tenure.

Some of the candidates, however, are not aware whether it is a government order or party decision. "We are bound to obey it as the party took the decision," Tasmin Rana told reporters after filing nomination, while Helen Zerin Khan said she would protest the order if it is injustice to them.

All the ruling BNP candidates after getting party tickets donated Tk 3 lakh each to the party coffers on Friday as they had promised in black and white. The aspirants to parliament had to spend Tk 30,000 each to appear before the BNP Parliamentary Board seeking party tickets.

Meantime, Kazi Hena, who was replaced despite having party ticket, told the reporters she relinquished her government service on August 9.

With an attested copy of her resignation letter, she said, "The EC officials told me I can file nomination attaching the photocopy and I must submit the main copy before scrutiny.

"But my party leaders prevented me from filing the nomination," Hena told reporters weeping.

Hena claimed she was confined in a room at the EC Secretariat so she could not submit her nomination paper.

The ruling BNP picked up Zahan Panna instead, who filed her nomination in time.

The returning officer (RO) today scrutinises the nominations, of which the BNP filed 30, Jamaat three, Jatiya Party (Ershad) two, and Bangladesh Jatiya Party (Matin) filed one with the support of the Islami Oikya Jote.

The last day of withdrawing candidature is September 1, and the RO is likely to declare the candidates elected uncontested.

After declared elected, the women lawmakers will join the parliament session slated for September 8.

On the nine seats allocated in favour of the main opposition AL, RO Mohammad Zakaria said after publication of official result of the 36 seats, the EC will declare a fresh schedule in 21 workdays.

The election to these nine seats will be open for all political parties, he added.