Provision curtails lawmakers’ constitutional freedom and undermines parliament’s independence, argues petitioner

The controversy surrounding Satkhira-4 MP Gazi Nazrul Islam poses two questions that must not be confused.

Article 70 of the constitution, which deals with the cancellation of membership of parliament members for voting against their political party, works as a safeguard for democracy, the High Court has observed.

Article 70 of the constitution, which deals with the cancellation of membership of parliament members for voting against their political party, safeguards democracy, the High Court observes.

The High Court yesterday upheld the article 70 of the constitution under which lawmakers lose their seats in parliament if they vote in the House against their own party.

The HC's observations have upheld what Awami League MP, Asaduzzaman Khan, had forecasted over four decades ago. Asaduzzaman, who was a member of the Constitution Drafting Committee in 1972, strongly opposed the inclusion of Article 70 to impose restrictions on MPs.