HC order today

The High Court on Sunday fixed today (Monday) for delivering order on a writ petition that challenged the legality of announcing the schedule for the forthcoming parliamentary election to be held on January 7 next year.

The HC bench of Justice Mustafa Zaman Islam and Justice Md Atabullah on Sunday fixed the date for delivering the order on the petition.

Adv Eunus Ali Akond appeared for the petition while Attorney General AM Amin Uddin represented the State during the hearing on the petition.

Eunus, a Supreme Court lawyer, filed the petition as a public interest litigation with the HC on December seeking a stay on the schedule that was issued on November 15 by the Election Commission (EC) for holding the 12th election on January 7, and to direct the EC to reschedule the date for holding the national polls.

In the petition, he said as per Article 123 (3) of the Constitution, the general election has to be held within 90 days after the parliament is dissolved. However, the EC has announced schedule for the election on January 7, while the outgoing parliament was in session.

Many members of the current parliament, who are receiving remuneration from the State, are reportedly contesting the upcoming parliamentary election. Hence, the upcoming polls cannot be held keeping the current parliament intact, the petition said, adding that many candidates could not submit nomination papers due to current political situation.

Meanwhile, a political party called Insaniat Biplab Bangladesh has filed a writ petition with the High Court seeking dissolution of Parliament and rescheduling under the direct supervision of the army.

The writ petition sought a direction to appoint the army with magisterial powers to maintain law and order in the elections.

On December 6, Chairman of Insaniat Biplab Imam Hayat filed the writ in the relevant branch of the HC, the petitioner confirmed the matter to the media on Sunday.

Secretaries of Law, Legislative and Cabinet and the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) have been made respondents in the petition.

The HC bench led by Justice Naima Haider is likely to hold hearing on the petition this week, the petitioner added.