Don’t know why HC halted Gazipur city polls: CEC

As authorities put preparations on hold in Gazipur city, Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda has said he is unaware of the reason behind High Court’s stay on its election.

"I saw a news on television. It is a matter of the court. I will first know and understand the decision before commenting on the issue," Huda said hours after the election was stayed.

He was talking to reporters after emerging from a dialogue with all mayoral and councilor runners of the Khulna City Corporation election this afternoon, our local correspondent reports.

Meanwhile, in Dhaka, Election Commissioner Mahbub Talukdar announced the halt to preparation of arranging elections in Gazipur city, which was scheduled for May 15.

“Showing respect to the court order, we have asked the returning officer to stop the election process,” he told reporters at the commission’s Agargaon office. “We don’t know why the election was stayed.”

“As it has been stayed by the High Court, we are bound to comply. We have asked to stop all electoral activities," he said.