DHAKA:  The High Court issued a contempt of court rule against the Chief Election Commissioner, four commissioners and EC secretary for not declaring Oikyaboddho Nagorik Andolon valid to contest the polls despite the court order.

The HC bench of Justice Mamnoon Rahman and Justice Ashish Ranjan Das on Monday (December 10) issued the rule.

CEC KM Nurul Huda, four election commissioners Mahabub Talukder, Md Rafiqul Islam, Kabita Khanom and EC secretary Shahadat Hossain Chowdhury were made respondents to the rule within four weeks.

Earlier on November 16, 2008, the Election Commission (EC) registered Oikyaboddha Nagorik Andolon as a political party. But the EC sent a latter to the party on October 4 this year, canceling the registration, petitioner’s lawyer advocate Manzil Morshed said.

However, President of the party filed the writ petition challenging legality of the latter, the lawyer also said.

On October 16, the HC stayed the EC's decision canceling the registration of the party and asking the commission to take necessary steps regarding the matter.

BDST: 1900 DEC 10, 2018

AH/RS/SMS