SC upholds EC’s authority on Ishraque’s swearing-in

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court has disposed of a leave-to-appeal petition seeking a stay on the Election Tribunal’s verdict and the Election Commission’s (EC) gazette notification that declared BNP leader Ishraque Hossain as the mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation.

In its order, the Appellate Division observed that the Election Commission is an independent institution and holds the constitutional authority to decide on the swearing-in of Ishraque Hossain as the mayor of the city corporation.

The order came on Thursday (May 29), following a hearing conducted by the Appellate Division bench led by Chief Justice Dr Syed Refaat Ahmed.

Senior Advocate Dr Muhammad Yasin Khan represented the Election Commission (EC) during the hearing. Senior Advocate Mohammad Hossain appeared for the leave-to-appeal petitioner, while Ishraq Hossain was represented by Senior Advocate AM Mahbub Uddin Khokon, assisted by Barrister AKM Ahsanur Rahman.