High Court suspends June 5 Jhenaidah-1 parliamentary bypoll

The High Court has suspended the bypoll to the Jhenaidah-1 parliamentary seat, which was to be held on June 5.

The single bench of Justice Md Zakir Hossain made the decision on Monday after an initial hearing on a writ petition.

Advocate Md Monir Hossain represented the petitioner at the hearing.

Awami League candidate Abdul Hyee beat petitioner Najmul Islam in the January 7 polls. Najmul then moved a High Court bench alleging election irregularities and appealed for a suspension of the results, and a new vote.

“In response to the petition, the High Court suspended the results of the election,” Monir said. “But Abdul Hyee appealed the decision with the Appellate Division which then stayed the High Court’s order.”

“Meanwhile, after Abdul Hyee’s death, the Election Commission announced a new schedule for the election. We are saying that, as the previous case has not been disposed of, it is not advisable to declare an election at this time.”

“In response, the court stayed the election for three weeks. In addition, our petition will be heard on Sunday.”

The Jhenaidah-1 seat fell vacant on March 16, when MP and Jhenaidah Awami League President Hyee died at a Bangkok hospital.

The Election Commission set June 5 as the date of the bypoll. On June 4, the Awami League nominated former Upazila chairman and district Awami League member Md Nayeb Ali Jowardar as the boat candidate for the race.

According to the bypoll schedule, Tuesday was to be the final day for the submission of nomination papers. However, the High Court order has suspended the polls.