The Supreme Court has stayed a High Court order that postponed the by-election to Jhenaidah-1(Shailkupa) constituency, scheduled to be held on June 5, for 21 days.
Chamber judge of the Appellate Division of the SC Justice M Enayetur Rahim halted a High Court order on Wednesday following a petition filed by Awami League-backed candidate Md Nayeb Ali Joardar challenging the HC order of stay.
On May 6, The HC bench of Justice Md Zakir Hossain stayed for 21 days the process of holding the by-polls to Jhenaidah-1 constituency, following a petition filed by Nazrul Islam Dulal Biswas, an independent candidate who got the second highest votes in January 7 national election, seeking necessary directives.
The HC also fixed Sunday (May 12) for hearing on the election petition.
On January 7, the Awami League-backed candidate Abdul Hye was elected as a member of the parliament in the 12th parliamentary election from Jhenaidah-1 constituency.
Meanwhile, on January 7, according to the returning officer office, about 49 per cent votes were cast at Jhenaidah-1 constituency. But the final results of the election showed that 58.27 per cent votes were cast, or 28,389 more than the first report.
When the news spread, Nazrul Islam, an independent candidate in the January 7 election, filed the election petition seeking a stay order on the gazette for the constituency.
Meanwhile, the Jhenaidah-1 seat fell vacant following the demise of Member of Parliament and District Awami League President Abdul Hye on March 16 while undergoing treatment at Bumrungrad Hospital in Thailand.
Subsequently, the Awami League nominated Nayeb Ali, a former upazila chairman and member of the district Awami League, as their candidate to contest the by-election.
On April 23, the Election Commission announced the schedule for the by-election to this constituency on June 5.
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