Zakir Hossain from Dhaka
The Bangladesh High Court on Monday (December 8) rejected a writ petition seeking suspension of all activities related to the upcoming national election, saying it was “not acceptable at this stage.” The bench of Justice Sikder Mahmudur Razi and Justice Raziuddin Ahmed dismissed the petition after observing it was “not fit for hearing.” Barrister Yarul Islam appeared for the petitioner.
The writ, filed on 3 December by Bangladesh Congress Secretary General Advocate Md Yarul Islam, challenged the appointment of the Election Commission (EC) secretary, returning officers and assistant returning officers by the executive branch. It argued that running the EC Secretariat and conducting polls with officials from the executive violates the constitution, and sought the formation of an “Electoral Service Commission.” The petition also asked for suspension of the upcoming election until the issue was resolved.
The petitioner claimed the executive has “lost public confidence” and that elections run by government representatives lead to “widespread controversy.” He argued that district and upazila election officers should conduct the polls and said, “If the responsibility is given to the DCs again, it will certainly result in another influenced election.”
During the hearing, the court remarked that “the entire nation is now focused on the election” and that this was not the time to seek suspension of the process.
After the dismissal, Yarul Islam told reporters he withdrew the writ “in the greater interest of the nation,” marking it as “not pressed,” and said he would not pursue the case further.