Dhaka, Jan 2 – Demanding reelection cancelling Sunday’s election results, Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) on Wednesday sought Supreme Court’s suo-motu intervention in this regard.
“The nation didn’t accept such an election. As the custodian of the country’s constitution, we’re expecting apex court ’s suo-motu intervention to cancel the election. We hope the Chief Justice and other judges will discharge their constitutional duty in this regard,” said SCBA President Zainul Abedin.
While addressing a press conference at the SCBA auditorium, he also said there are instances of apex court’s interference to this end in a neighbouring country.
Although there were many fears, Jatiya Oikyafront leaders participated in the election following an assurance by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the Election Commission, Zainul said.
“However, many candidates were arrested, many attacked and electioneering was also obstructed. Even our SCBA secretary was shot. Cases were filed against thousands of leaders and activists. This election can’t be called an election,” he said.
Claiming that there was no instance in the past of High Court’s interference after the Election Commission declared the nomination of a candidate valid, he urged the HC judges who turned down the EC’s decisions to step down. “They’ve belittled the High Court to the people. Doing so, they’ve breached of the oath of office.”
SCBA secretary Mahbub Uddin Khokon said what was staged on December 30 was not an election. “It’s a mockery with the nation and the Constitution.”
He also said journalists want to say many things but they cannot open their mouths in fear.
SCBA vice-president Md Golam Rahman Bhuiyan was also present at the press conference. – UNB
