Writ seeking postponement of presidential election dismissed

The High Court has dismissed a writ petition challenging Article 70 of the Constitution and the validity of the presidential election schedule.

A High Court bench comprising Justice Khizir Ahmed Chowdhury and Justice AFM Saiful Karim passed the order on Tuesday.

Supreme Court lawyer Dr Yunus Ali Akand filed the writ on August 13. He himself argued the writ petition. Attorney General Md Ruhul Quddus Kajal presented the state’s case.

The Election Commission (EC) announced the schedule for the country’s 23rd presidential election on August 6. According to the schedule, voting is scheduled to be held next Thursday.

The writ petition sought a ruling asking why Article 70 of the Constitution should not be declared inconsistent with the Constitution and why the EC’s August 6 schedule for the presidential election should not be declared illegal. A petition was also filed to postpone the presidential election.

The Election Commission (EC) announced the schedule for the presidential election on August 6.

According to the announced schedule, the polling date is  August 20. Voting will be held in the session hall of the National Assembly from 2pm to 5pm on that day.

Senior Secretary of the EC Secretariat Akhtar Ahmed announced the schedule for the presidential election. Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin will serve as the election officer for this election.

According to the announced schedule, the date for filing nomination papers for the presidential election was August 13 from 10am to 4pm. The scrutiny of nomination papers was done on August 16. The last date for withdrawal of candidature is set on August 18 while the polling is on August 20.