Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan has formed two benches in the High Court Division to hear urgent writs, including matters related to the Election Commission’s laws and regulations.
The chief justice issued orders granting these two benches the authority to hear such writ petitions on Tuesday.
Candidates whose nomination papers were cancelled and appeals rejected in the national parliamentary election have sought redress through writ petitions in the High Court. Primarily, these writs will be heard by these two benches.
The benches are one comprising Justice Abu Taher Md Saifur Rahman and Justice Md Bashir Ullah, and the other comprising Justice Md Iqbal Kabir and Justice SM Moniruzzaman.
Even during the Supreme Court's vacation period, from December 19 (Tuesday) to January 1 (Monday), these two benches will hear writ petitions related to the election.
This directive was issued separately by the chief justice on Monday.
EC Additional Secretary Ashok Kumar Debnath has informed that 2,716 nomination papers were filed for 300 seats. During the selection process, returning officers cancelled 731 of these, which is 26.92% of the total filed nominations. The remaining 1,985 nomination papers, or 73.08%, were deemed valid.
EC Secretary Md Jahangir Alam said that 561 appeals against the decisions of the Returning Officers were filed. Hearings for these appeals will be conducted by the Election Commission until December 15 to resolve.
A total of 168 candidates got back their candidacy in the last three days till Tuesday.
Those whose appeals have been rejected can file writ petitions in the High Court.
According to the 12th national parliamentary election schedule, the last date for withdrawal of candidature is December 17. After that, the number of final candidates will be known.
The returning officers will allot the symbols on December 18. The candidates will then go on the campaign, which will continue till 8am on January 5.
The 12th parliamentary election is set to be held on January 7, as per the schedule announced by Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal on November 15.
