Election Commissioner Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah on Wednesday said that the Ministry of Local Government will decide whether BNP leader Ishraque Hossain will be sworn in as the mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC).
"The Election Commission (EC) has fulfilled its responsibilities by publishing the gazette. A letter was also sent to the Ministry of Local Government immediately after the gazette was issued," he told reporters following the sixth commission meeting held at the Nirbachan Bhaban in Agargaon, Dhaka.
Sanaullah said: “We have reviewed the Appellate Division’s observations and references regarding the DSCC election. The gazette has been published. Now, the responsibility for administering the oath lies with the Ministry of Local Government.”
Earlier on Wednesday afternoon, the Election Commission held a meeting to discuss actions to be taken in light of recent court orders or directives.
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin and four other commissioners were present at the meeting.
In the last Dhaka South City election, held on February 1, 2020, Awami League's Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh defeated BNP's Ishraque Hossain by a margin of nearly 200,000 votes.
On March 27, the Dhaka Election Tribunal annulled the previous result and declared Ishraque as the mayor.
Subsequently, on April 27, the Election Commission published a gazette declaring Ishraque as DSCC mayor.
However, on May 14, a petition was filed with the High Court to prevent his swearing-in. On the same day, Ishraque’s supporters began protesting, demanding that he be sworn in.
