Petition challenges polls schedule with parliament intact

A Supreme Court lawyer yesterday filed a writ petition with the High Court, challenging the legality of announcing schedule for the 11th parliamentary election before dissolving the parliament.

Advocate Eunus Ali Akond filed the petition, seeking a stay on the schedule that was issued on November 12 by the Election Commission (EC) for holding the election on December 30.

In the petition, he said as per article 123 (3) of the constitution, the general election has to be held within 90 days after the parliament is dissolved. However, the EC has announced schedule for the election on December 30, while the current parliament is still undissolved.

The petition also stated that as per article 12 of the Representation of the People Order (RPO) and article 66 (2)(f), a person holding the post of profit in government service cannot be qualified for contesting the parliamentary election.

Many members of the current parliament, who are receiving remuneration from the state, are reportedly contesting the upcoming parliamentary election. Hence, the upcoming polls cannot be held keeping the current parliament intact, the petition said.