Reinstatement of 85 upazila election officers: SC releases full text of verdict

The Appellate Division on Monday published the full text of the judgment on the reinstatement of 85 upazila election officers who were dismissed in 2007.

The court also asked the authorities concerned to pay their due salaries and allowances from 2007 and consider their dismissal period as special leave, UNB reports. 

Earlier on February 25, the Appellate Division ordered the reinstatement of the 85 upazila after rejecting the appeal petition filed in 2022.

Senior Advocate Salah Uddin Dolon and Barrister Ruhul Kuddus Kajol stood for the petitioner while Additional Attorney General Anik R Haque represented the state.

Advocate Mohammad Khalequzzaman Bhuiyan stood for Election Commission.

On September 3, 2005, the government appointed 327 Upazila Election Officer through Public Service Commission (PSC).

On September 3, 2007, the 85 upazila election officers were dismissed as controversy arose over the appointment during the four-party alliance government.

On March 23, 2009, an administrative appellate tribunal rejected the appeal submitted by the dismissed officials.

Later, they filed an appeal challenging the order.

On April 12, 2010, the Appeal Tribunal ordered the reinstatement of the 85 dismissed officials.

On September 1, 2022, the Appellate Division overturned the decision given nearly a decade earlier by the Administrative Appellate Tribunal to reinstate them, effectively blocking their return to service.

In 2023, they filed a review petition challenging the Appellate Division’s 2022 verdict. A hearing on the petition was held on February 20.

Later, on February 25, the Appellate Division scrapped its previous 2022 verdict and ordered their reinstatement in service.