Staff Reporter :
The High Court on Sunday stayed the Gazipur City Corporation polls for three months, which was scheduled to be held on May 15.
The court also issued a rule asking the Election Commission (EC) and the government to explain as to why inclusion of six mouzas of Shimulia Union Parishad of Savar should not be declared illegal.
The HC bench of Justice Naima Haider and Justice Zafar Ahmed passed the order and issued the rule after hearing a writ petition filed by Shimulia Union Parishad Chairman Azharul Islam challenging the legality of the inclusion of the six mouzas of the Union Parishad in the Gazipur City Corporation area and the process for holding election.
Barrister B M Elias Kochi appeared in the court on behalf of the writ petitioner, Advocate Towhidul Islam appeared for the Election Commission and Deputy Attorney General Mokhlesur Rahman stood for the state.
Deputy Attorney General Mokhlesur Rahman said that the High Court stayed the polls for three months. Now the Gazipur City Corporation election will not be held on May 15 following the HC order, he added.
Barrister Kochi said the government on January 16, 2013 published a gazette incorporating six mouzas of Shimulia Union Parishad under Gazipur City Corporation but according to law, GCC was formed with Gazipur and Tongi municipalities.
Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda announced the election schedule for Gazipur and Khulna city corporations on March 31.
