Ctg-12 By-poll
EC seeks stay on HC order on Jalal's candidature
The Election Commission yesterday filed a petition with the Supreme Court seeking stay on a High Court order that directed the EC to allow an independent candidate to contest the January 17 Chittagong-12 by-election.
After holding a brief hearing, chamber judge of the Appellate Division of SC Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain yesterday sent the petition to the regular bench of the apex court for its hearing today.
The EC's lawyer Additional Attorney General MK Rahman said the full bench of the Appellate Division headed by Chief Justice Md Muzammel Hossain today will hear the stay petition filed by the EC.
The HC on January 7, following a writ petition filed by the candidate, Jalal Uddin Ahmed, directed the EC to allow him to contest the by-election.
The by-election's returning officer on December 23 cancelled Jalal's Nomination papers stating that Jalal had failed to submit signatures of one percent of voters of the constituency as required by the Representation of the People Order.
On December 27, 2012, the EC upheld the cancellation decision after rejecting Jalal's appeal against the decision.
The Jatiya Sangsad seat (Chittagong-12) fell vacant following the death of AL lawmaker Akhtaruzzaman Chowdhury Babu on November 4, 2012.
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