The government officials cannot contest Jatiya Sangsad elections within three years of retirement, according to a High Court verdict.

An HC bench of Justice Naima Haider and Justice Zeenat Haque pronounced the judgement on Monday after rejecting a writ petition filed challenging the Representation of the People Order (RPO) that military-civilian government officials cannot participate in the parliamentary elections until three years of their retirement.

On November 29, the bench kept the issue as a case awaiting verdict (CAV) after the hearing of the rule issued in response to separate writs filed this year. 

Senior advocates Tania Amir, Prabir Niyogi and Mohammad Saeed Ahmed Raza moved for the writ in the court while lawyer Khan Mohammad Shamim Aziz was on behalf of the Election Commission. Attorney General AM Amin Uddin and Deputy Attorney General Amit Das Gupta represented the state.

The hearing on this rule started on November 7.

The High Court on January 19 issued the rule asking the government and Election Commission to explain in four weeks why the provision of section 12(1) (f) of the Representation of People Order, (RPO), 1972 should not be declared illegal. 

The HC issued the rule following a writ petition filed by Brigadier General (retired) Md Shamim Kamal challenging the legality of the provision.

Secretaries of law, local government and home, Chief Election commissioner, Lalmonirhat Deputy Commissioner have been made respondents in the rule.

BDST: 1310 HRS, DEC 04, 2023 
SMS