DHAKA: The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court ordered the High Court to immediately dispose of the rule issued over the by-polls for Dhaka north and south city corporations. 

A four-member appellate bench headed by Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain passed the order, responding a plea filed by the Election Commission (EC) Sunday (February 25).

Senior lawyer Fida M Kamal moved for the EC. Lawyer Towhidul Islam accompanied him. Barrister Rokon Uddin Mahmud and Barrister Mostafizur Rahman Khan moved the writ petitioner.

Besides, Barrister Mahbub Uddin Rokon moved for BNP-nominated mayor candidate Tabith awal who pleaded for resuming the polls arrangements.

The Appellate Division has directed the High Court to dispose the rule as soon as possible, at the HC bench led by Justice Gobinda Chandra Thakur, said Towhidul islam.

However, the HC order that stayed the polls for 6-month is upheld, he added. 

The High Court stayed polls to the newly-formed 18 wards of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) on January 18, responding a writ against the polls schedule filed by Demra union parishad Chairman Joynul Abedin.

On January 17, the HC stayed the mayoral by-election and election to new 18 wards of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) for three months. From the new wards, Bhatara union parishad chairman Ataur Rahman and Beraid union parishad chairman Jahangir Alam filed the writs challenging legality of the polls schedule. 

BDST: 1350 HRS, FEB 25, 2018
SI/SMS