The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

The High Court Sunday set Wednesday (Dec 3) for hearing on its rule upon a pending writ petition filed by Dhaka City Corporation Mayor Sadek Hossain Khoka challenging the Election Commission decision disqualifying the incumbent mayors of the cities from contesting the parliamentary polls.

A division bench comprising Justice Tariq ul Hakim and Justice Farah Mahbub fixed the date after hearing on an EC petition seeking to vacate interim HC stay on the operation of the election-disqualification provision for incumbent City Corporation mayors.

The HC bench also appointed a three-member panel of amicus curiae to assist the court during hearings for legal interpretations in resolving the issue.

On November 25, the High Court upon a writ petition filed by Khoka stayed operation of the impugned election-disqualification provision, clearing the way for him to contest the December 29 polls.

The HC had also issued a rule upon the EC to explain in four weeks why the impugned decision "should not be declared to have been made without lawful authority".

Former attorney-general Mahmudul Islam, assisted by Dr Shahdeen Malik, appeared for the EC, while Barrister Ruhul Quddus Kazol for Khoka.

Meanwhile, Mayor Khoka secured BNP ticket and filed nomination for an Old Dhaka seat on the last day yesterday for contesting the general election going to be held on December 29 after lots of turns and twists in the country's political scenario.