The High Court has ordered the preservation of ballots and essential election materials from Pabna-3 following a petition challenging the results of the 13th parliament elections.
The petition was filed by BNP candidate Md Hasan Zafir Tuhin, who lost the seat to Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Muhammad Ali Asgar.
On Wednesday, Justice Md Zakir Hossain of the single-member election tribunal heard the case.
After the hearing, the court accepted the petition and directed that all relevant ballots and election equipment be secured. The next hearing has been scheduled for 14 June.
The petition was argued by a team of lawyers including Mozibur Rahman, Md Nazmul Islam, HM Masum, Mahfuz Hasan, and Khademul Islam.
Under Section 49 of the Representation of the People Order, petitioners have the right to challenge electoral irregularities before the High Court’s election tribunal within 45 days of the gazette notification of the elected member.
Justice Zakir Hossain’s single bench is currently hearing such petitions in accordance with the law.
The High Court’s procedural notes specify that, as per the 2001 amendment to the 1972 Representation of the People Order, all election petitions transferred to this bench will be received, heard, and ruled upon in line with established guidelines.
