Dispose of plea seeking cancellation of 25 Jamaat men's candidature

The High Court today directed the Election Commission to dispose of in three working days the application filed for cancellation of the candidacy of 25 Jamaat-e-Islami men.

The court also issued a rule asking the government to explain in four weeks why the EC’s decision to allow 25 Jamaat candidates to contest in the elections despite the cancellation of their registration should not be declared illegal.

In the rule, the court also asked the EC to show causes why the commission should not be directed to cancel their candidacy.

The HC bench of Justice Md Ashfaqul Islam and Justice Mohammad Ali came up with the order and rule following a writ petition filed by Bangladesh Tarikat Federation and Amra Muktijoddhar Sontan seeking cancellation of the commission's decision to allow 25 Jamaat-e-Islami leaders to contest the December 30 elections.

The petitioner yesterday submitted the application to the EC saying that the HC in 2013 scrapped Jamaat-e-Islami's registration with the EC, so the party's leaders cannot be allowed to contest the polls.