HC rejects petition to halt election activities

Staff Reporter :

The High Court on Monday dismissed a writ petition seeking suspension of all activities related to the upcoming national parliamentary election, ruling that the plea was not fit for hearing.
A bench comprising Justice Sikder Mahmudur Razi and Justice Raziuddin Ahmed rejected the petition, in which Barrister Yarul Islam appeared on behalf of the petitioner.
Filed on 3 December by Bangladesh Congress Secretary General Advocate Md Yarul Islam, the writ challenged the legality of appointing the Election Commission (EC) secretary, returning officers, and assistant returning officers from the executive branch.
It argued that such appointments violated the constitution and sought the formation of an “Electoral Service Commission” staffed independently of the executive.
The petition also requested suspension of the election until the matter was resolved.
The writ claimed that election administration by the executive branch undermines neutrality, erodes public confidence, and allows the government to influence the process.
It maintained that EC personnel not Deputy Commissioners and other executive officials should conduct the election.
During the hearing, the court observed that the nation’s attention is currently focused on the upcoming polls and that this was not an appropriate stage to seek suspension of electoral activities.
Following the order, Advocate Yarul Islam told reporters that he withdrew the petition in the “greater interest of the nation,” marking it as “not pressed,” and said he would not pursue the case further.