The High Court (HC) has directed the Election Commission (EC) to preserve the ballots and other relevant election documents in the Bagerhat-2 constituency following a petition challenging the results of the 13th National Parliamentary Election.
A single bench of Justice Mohammad Ali issued the directive on Wednesday, April 1, after a preliminary hearing on a petition filed by BNP candidate Barrister Sheikh Mohammad Zakir Hossain.
The court also accepted the petition for hearing.
The petition challenges the victory of Jamaat-e-Islami nominated candidate Sheikh Manjurul Haque Rahad, who was unofficially declared elected with 117,709 votes. His nearest rival, BNP nominee Zakir Hossain, secured 66,409 votes.
According to official figures presented by Election Commission Secretary Akhtar Ahmed, a total of 157,757 “Yes” votes and 68,106 “No” votes were recorded in the referendum held alongside the parliamentary election.
The court directed the concerned authorities to preserve all relevant materials to ensure proper examination during the hearing.
Earlier, more than 45 candidates filed similar petitions with the High Court challenging election results in various constituencies. The court has accepted those petitions for hearing and issued similar orders for preservation of election materials.
Under Section 49 of the Representation of the People Order, election tribunals are constituted under the High Court to adjudicate disputes related to electoral irregularities.
FH/MHK