Shahbagh blocked seeking rescheduling of city polls

The students of Dhaka University have blocked Shahbagh intersection demanding rescheduling of the Dhaka North and South City polls.

They started the blockade around 5:00pm on Tuesday following the High Court's order rejecting a writ petition that sought deferment of the elections.

Severe gridlock was created in the area due to the blockade, causing immense sufferings to the commuters. 

The students chanted 'Don't allow election on the day of Puja, won't allow', and 'Don't allow 30 January polls, won't allow', etc. slogans. 

January 30 was slated for elections to the Dhaka North and South City Corporations. On the same day, Hindu community in Bangladesh will celebrate their one of the biggest religious festivals Saraswati Puja.

That is why Supreme Court lawyer Advocate Ashoke Kumar Ghosh on January 6 filed the writ before the HC seeking its directive to reschedule the polls.

The community people have been objecting to the Election Commission's decision to hold election on the day of Puja. 

The festival is celebrated in all universities, colleges and other educational institutions across the country while polling stations would be set up in different education institution in the city that will hamper the celebrations, they think.

Meanwhile the High Court today turned down plea of polls deferment considering the progress in the election process and the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examinations scheduled to take place on February 2.