Apex court clears way for Gazipur city polls

The bar on Gazipur City Corporation election has been scrapped by the Supreme Court.

In addition to staying the previous High Court order, the apex court has also directed the Election Commission to arrange the Gazipur city polls by June 28, which was originally scheduled for May 15.

Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain-led four-member bench of the Supreme Court passed the ruling after disposing three petitions filed by the Election Commission and two mayor runners of the election.

BNP mayor candidate Hasan Uddin's lawyer Advocate Zainul Abedin told The Daily Star the apex court passed the order considering all the aspects regarding Gazipur City Corporation election.

According to him, since the Supreme Court has mandated the Gazipur city polls to be held within June 28, the Election Commission can hold the election on May 15 and not declare a fresh schedule.

He also added, ruling party leader ABM Azharul Islam, whose writ petition put the three-month stay on the election, had no right to move the petition before the High Court. The writ petitioner had suppressed facts to the HC over the gazette notification including areas of the city corporation, he added.

Yesterday, ruling Awami League’s pick Jahangir Alam filed the writ against the High Court stay order. Last Monday, BNP’s mayor aspirant Hasan Uddin Sarker filed another petition with the Supreme Court seeking a stay on the High Court order that stalled the GCC election.