A Jatiya Party leader has filed a writ petition in the High court challenging validity of announcing uncontested candidates as winner in the national polls.
Petitioner Khandaker Abdus Salam identified himself as a freedom fighter, vice chairman of the Jatiya Party and chairman of Swanirbhor Group.
Supreme Court lawyer Hassan MS Azim filed the petition on his behalf on Tuesday.The petitioner stated that declaring the single candidates as lawmakers without participation of the people in voting violated several sections of the Constitution.
The Cabinet Secretary, Law Secretary, Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commission Secretariat’s Secretary have been made defendants.
The petition sought a ruling from the court as to why the section 19 of the Representation of People Order would not be declared illegal.
According to the RPO section, if there is a single candidate in a constituency the candidate will be elected as an MP.
The petitioner also sought a ruling on why public opinion would not be sought through vote if there was only one contender in a constituency in the 10th parliamentary polls.
The petition sought an interim directive on the announcement on the single candidates until the rule was resolved.
The petitioner wanted to contest from Gazipur-1 constituency for the next polls but the returning officer cancelled his nominations.
He did not go for a legal battle against cancellation of his nomination after the party chief HM Ershad announced to boycott the polls.
There won’t be any election in 154 constituencies as candidates of these constituencies won uncontested following scrutiny and withdrawal of nominations.-bdnews24.com
