SC asks EC to hold Gazipur city polls by June 28

The Appellate Division on Thursday asked the Election Commission to hold the Gazipur City Corporation Election (GCC) by June 28.

A four-member bench of the Appellate Division, led by Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain, revoked the HC order that stayed the GCC election for three months.

The Appellate Division passed the order after hearing three separate appeal petitions filed by the Election Commission and two mayoral candidates Hasan Uddin Sarkar of Awami League and Zahangir Alam of BNP.

On Wednesday, the SC deferred to Thursday the hearing on the appeal petitions after the EC made a request to the Appellate Division to defer the hearing on the two petitions.

Chamber Judge of the Appellate Division Justice Hasan Foyez Siddique sent the petitions to the full-bench of the Appellate Division after hearing on the two petitions.

On May 6, the HC stayed the Gazipur City Corporation election, which was scheduled to be held on May 15.

It also issued a rule asking the government to explain as to why the inclusion of six moujas of Dhaka district into GCC should not be declared illegal.

The government on January 16, 2013 published a gazette incorporating six moujas of Shimulia union of Savar upazila (South Boroibari, Domna, Shibrampur, West Panishail, South Panishail and Domnag) under Gazipur City Corporation but according to law, the GCC was formed with Gazipur and Tongi municipalities.

ABM Azharul Islam Suruj, Shimulia union parishad chairman of Savar, filed the writ on Sunday morning challenging the legality of the gazette as the Election Commission announced the election schedule incorporating six moujas of Dhaka district, which is illegal.

Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda announced the election schedule for Gazipur and Khulna city corporations on March 31.

Source: unb