Termination of 84 election officers illegal

The Administrative Appellate Tribunal yesterday declared illegal the termination of 84 upazila election officers, who were appointed during the last BNP-Jamaat alliance government.
A three-member Appellate Tribunal headed by Justice Gour Gopal Saha passed the verdict following four appeal petitions filed by the election officers.
The caretaker government terminated them on September 3 in 2007 on the ground of their unsatisfactory performances during the probationary period of service.
The officers filed two separate cases with the Administrative Tribunal in 2007 and 2008 challenging the government's decision.
The tribunal dismissed the cases on March 23 last year.
Later, the petitioners filed four separate appeals with the Administrative Appellate Tribunal against the dismissal.
Advocate Abdur Rab Chowdhury and Advocate Salahuddin Dolon stood for the case.