The Election Commission (EC) has sought a stay on a High Court order that asked it to accept the nomination of Krishak Sramik Janata League President Abdul Kader Siddique to allow him to contest the upcoming Tangail 4 by-polls.
EC panel lawyer Md Yasin Khan yesterday submitted a petition to the Supreme Court seeking the stay. He said the chamber judge might hear the petition today.
The parliamentary seat for Tangail 4 fell vacant on September 1 after sacked minister Abdul Latif Siddique, elder brother of Kader Siddique, resigned from the House.
On October 11, Kader Siddique and three leaders of his party submitted their nominations to contest the by-election slated for November 10. But the EC on October 13 rejected the nominations of Kader Siddique and his wife Nasrin Siddique on loan default charges.
On October 18, a five-member panel headed by Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad also dismissed the appeals the duo filed against the commission's decision.
Kader Siddique then moved to the High Court on October 20 and on last Wednesday, the court asked the EC to accept his nomination. The court also stayed the cancellation of his nomination announced by the chief election commissioner and the returning officer.
Following the court order, the returning officer assigned Kader Siddique an election symbol on October 22.
The veteran politician, who is also a freedom fighter, has already begun campaigning.
