The High Court on Monday dismissed a petition seeking to suspend all activities related to the 13th national parliamentary election, saying the petition had not been formally raised. During the hearing, the bench, comprising Justice Shikdar Mahmudur Razi and Justice Riaz Uddin, remarked to the petitioner’s lawyer, “People are now focused on the election. This is not the time to file a petition seeking its postponement.”
Speaking to reporters after the ruling, the petitioner’s lawyer, Advocate Yarul Islam, said, “Understanding the court’s stance, I have withdrawn the petition in the larger interest of the nation. I will not pursue this case further.”
The petition had been filed on December 3 by Yarul Islam, Secretary General of the registered political party Bangladesh Congress, seeking the postponement of all activities of the upcoming parliamentary election.
The petition challenged the appointment of the Election Commission Secretary, returning officers, and assistant returning officers by the executive branch as unconstitutional, and requested the formation of an independent Electoral Service Commission. It sought a rule directing the postponement of the election until the petition was resolved.
The petition argued that having executive-appointed officials in the Election Commission Secretariat and overseeing the election was inconsistent with the constitution. It emphasized that, like the judiciary, the Election Commission should have its own independent staff, prompting the call for an Electoral Service Commission.
Earlier, Advocate Yarul Islam told reporters that the government and the Election Commission had already consulted with Deputy Commissioners regarding election management. He warned that allowing them to conduct the election again would result in another biased process.
He added that election responsibilities should involve district and sub-district election officials, and the Election Commission Secretary should be replaced to ensure a free and fair election, free from executive influence.
