DHAKA: A petition was filed with the High Court challenging the decision of the Election Commission that rejected a petition for cancellation of candidacy of 25 leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami in the 11th national elections.

Secretary General and Social Welfare Secretary of Bangladesh Tariqat Federation and president and presidium member of Amra Muktijoddhar Santan (AMS) filed the petition citing that Jamaat’s registration with the EC was earlier declared illegal.

Barrister Tania Amir on Wednesday placed the petition before the HC bench of Justice J. B. M. Hassan and Justice Md. Khairul Alam. The court asked officials concerned to keep the plea in tomorrow’s cause list.

Earlier on December 24, the EC sent a letter to the writ petitioners rejecting their application filed for disqualifying the 25 Jamaat men from vying the polls.

It also said there is no scope now for scrapping the candidacy of 25 Jamaat-e-Islami leaders. 

The High Court on December 18 issued a rule challenging legality of 25 Jamaat leaders’ candidacy with BNP symbol ‘sheaf of paddy’, in the national elections scheduled for Dec 30.

The EC has been directed to settle the matter within three working days.

Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh, however, was earlier scrapped of registration as a political party.

BDST: 1546 HRS, DEC 26, 2018
RS/SMS