Allot symbol to independent candidate of Naogaon-2: HC

Staff Reporter :
The High Court on Tuesday declared legal the nomination paper submitted by Md Mehedi Mahmud Reza, an independent candidate of Naogaon-2 constituency, where the election was postponed before the 12th national election on January 7 this year. The court at the same time asked the Returning Officer to allot the symbol to Mehedi Mahmud.

The High Court bench of Justice Abu Taher Md Saifur Rahman and Justice Md Bashir Ullah passed the order after hearing a writ petition filed by Mehedi Mahmud challenging the Election Commission decision that cancelled his nomination paper.

Lawyer Jahangir Alam appeared in the court hearing on behalf of Mehedi Mahmud, while Deputy Attorney General S Masud Rumi represented the state.

The election of Naogaon-2 seat was postponed on December 29 last year, 9 days ahead of the national election held on January 7, after the death of another independent candidate Aminul Haque. The Election Commission on January 4 announced new schedule for the election of the seat. Voting will take place on February 12 according to the new schedule.

Lawyer Jahangir Alam said Mehedi Mahmud is a grandson of deceased independent candidate Aminul Haque. He submitted his nomination paper on January 17. But due to complications related to support of 1 percent voters, the Returning Officer canceled his nomination on the following day.

The EC also rejected his appeal on January 24. Finally he filed a writ petition with the HC. Upon hearing on the petition, the HC issued a rule questioning the decision of the EC that cancelled his nomination paper and asked the EC to allot him symbol.