SC lawyer files writ petition to cancel new EC

A writ petition was filed yesterday with the High Court seeking its orders upon the government to cancel the gazette notification on the formation of new Election Commission (EC).

Advocate Eunus Ali Akond, a Supreme Court lawyer, submitted the petition, also praying for a stay order on the oath taking programme of the chief election commissioner and other EC members.

In the petition, Akond said no retired person can be reappointed as per the Public Servants (Retirement) Act 1974. But the government has appointed retired persons as EC chief and members, violating the law.

The retired persons, aged between 70 and 75, are employed again while many people in the country remain unemployed, he said in the petition.

The HC may hold hearing on the petition today, Advocate Eunus said.

President Abdul Hamid appointed former secretary KM Nurul Huda as chief election commissioner in line with a constitutional provision, according to a gazette notification issued on February 6.

The president also appointed four election commissioners.