EC suspends DNCC by-polls following HC order

The Election Commission (EC) on Wednesday suspended all proceedings of the election to Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) which was scheduled to be held on February 26.

We have taken the decision following an order of the High Court (HC) that suspended all the proceedings of the DNCC election for three months,” acting secretary Helaluddin Ahmed of the EC Secretariat told media this afternoon.

He, however, said the election to the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) will be held as usual as the suspension order given by the High Court will be applicable for only DNCC election, reports BSS.

Replying to a query about filing appeal against the verdict, he said, “The next course of action to this end will be taken with consultation of the lawyers after getting the copy of the apex court order.”

 “As many as 19 persons have so far collected for the mayoral posts, 412 for general councillor posts and 71 others for reserved seat for women,” he informed.

Earlier this morning, a High Court division bench comprising Justice Naima Haider and Justice Zafar Ahmed passed the order after holding upon completion of hearing on two writ petitions filed against the DNCC election.

The court also issued a rule asking the Election Commission to explain as to why the High Court shall not declare illegal the schedule for the mayoral by polls and elections in newly added 36 words.