The High Court has stayed the by-election to Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) for six months. Helal Uddin, the acting secretary to the Election Commission (EC), disclosed it on Tuesday (Jan 23) night after receiving a copy of the court order.
Earlier, on January 17, the Election Commission said the court had stayed the by-election for three months following a petition filed by Bhatara Upazila Chairman Ataur Rahman.
The by-election for the DNCC mayoral post was scheduled to be held on February 26, as the post fell vacant with the death of Annisul Huq on November 30 last year.
Meanwhile, election to 18 councillor posts of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) was stayed for four months, even though the EC earlier said it has stayed for three months.
Asked about the conflicting information, Helal said, “We have just received the copy of the court order, in which we saw that the High Court stayed the DNCC by-election for six months and the polls to the DSCC councillor posts for four months.”
In reply to another query about whether they would file an appeal with the Appellate Division against the order, he said they had appealed for a certified copy of the High Court order and that they would decide on their course of action once they receive it.