HC Rejects Plea Over Enacting Law for EC Formation

A writ petition seeking directions on drafting a particular law for the formation of the Election Commission was dismissed by the High Court today.

The order was issued by a division bench consisting of Justice Mujibur Rahman Mia and Justice Kamrul Hossain Mollah.

At the hearing, attorney Md Earul Islam represented the petitioner, while Attorney General AM Amin Uddin represented the state.

Due to time restrictions, Law Minister Anisul Huq stated earlier this month that it is not possible to formulate a law for the establishment of the next EC at this time.

He stated that the current EC's term will expire in February of next year, and that passing a bill in that time frame would be impossible. As a result, a search committee would be formed to form a new EC.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina also announced the formation of a new EC via a search committee on October 4th.

"A search committee is also close to being a legal entity. Its gazette is published on the president's orders. A gazette, according to the Constitution, has the same legal effect as a legislation "Anisul Huq has previously stated.

According to reports, Earul Islam, a lawyer and the secretary-general of the Bangladesh Congress, submitted the petition on October 13th, asking for directives to establish an election commission by adopting legislation in compliance with Article 116 (1) of the Constitution.

The petition was filed in order to delay the Election Commission's creation through the search committee.

The regulation identified the secretary of the law ministry and the chief election commissioner as respondents.