Staff Reporter:
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin has said a decision regarding the swearing-in of BNP leader Ishraque Hossain as mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) will be made after receiving and reviewing the copy of the Appellate Division verdict.
Following the ruling of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court about the oath, the Election Commission (EC) held a sudden meeting on Thursday afternoon.
The closed-door meeting at the EC building at Agargaon lasted for about three hours and was attended by the CEC and other election commissioners.
Responding to questions from journalists as he left the meeting room, the CEC said, “We have not yet received the copy of the Appellate Division verdict. Once we receive it, we will examine the legal aspects and take whatever action is necessary.”
He also remarked that no decision can be made based solely on media headlines.
The current term of the DSCC will expire on Sunday.
Since the gazette was published on 27 April declaring Ishraque as DSCC mayor, the issue of the oath has moved through the EC, the Ministry of Local Government, the Ministry of Law, the High Court and the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court.
The Appellate Division on Thursday disposed of the petition that had sought to halt Ishraque’s oath, providing its observations in the process.
Expressing dissatisfaction over the EC’s role in this complex matter, the apex court said the commission had failed to properly carry out its constitutional duties.
It expressed dissatisfaction over the fact that the EC had sought the opinion of the ministry regarding the gazette, declaring Ishraque as mayor, whereas the Constitution grants it the authority to act independently and the ministry is supposed to assist it.
After the hearing, EC lawyer Yasin Khan said the commission, as a constitutional body, will make a decision regarding Ishraque. Once the written verdict is released, the court’s observations will be clear.
He also said the court did not intervene in the gazette issued by the EC declaring Ishraque as mayor.
