HC clears way for Jahangir's candidacy

The High Court yesterday directed the Election Commission (EC) to allow rebel mayoral candidate from ruling Awami League camp Jahangir Alam to contest the July 6 Gazipur City Corporation (GCC) election.
In response to a writ petition, the HC also ordered the EC to allocate election symbol to Jahangir, backed by Sammilito Nagorik Committee, after accepting his nomination paper.
On June 9, the returning officer (RO) of Gazipur declared Jahangir's candidature illegal, saying that he was holding the office of the Gazipur upazila vice chairman.
The EC on June 13 upheld the RO's decision after rejecting Jahangir's appeal against the RO's order.
The same day, Jahangir filed the petition with the HC challenging the EC's decision, stating that he had resigned from the office on June 2 and there was no legal bar to contest the election.