The Appellate Division has accepted the application of BNP candidate Aslam Chowdhury from the Chattogram-4 constituency, who won the 13th National Parliament election, seeking the opportunity for result declaration and oath-taking. The court has set June 9 for the appeal hearing.
The bench led by Chief Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury passed the order on Thursday.
After an appeal hearing before the Election Commission, Aslam Chowdhury’s nomination paper — which faced allegations of loan default — was declared valid on 18 January. Bank authorities filed a writ challenging the EC’s decision, but the High Court dismissed it.
The bank authorities subsequently filed an application with the Appellate Division. Jamaat candidate Md Anwar Siddiqui also filed a leave to appeal against the High Court order.
On 3 February, the Appellate Division granted the leave to appeal against the reinstatement of Aslam Chowdhury’s candidacy. While this allowed him to contest the election, the court ordered that the results for the seat would remain stayed until the appeal was disposed of, and no results would be published.
In the 12 February election, Aslam Chowdhury was unofficially declared victorious. However, due to the court order, the results have not been officially published.
In this situation, Chowdhury filed an application seeking the opportunity for result declaration and oath-taking.
Supreme Court lawyer Shishir Monir said, “Aslam Chowdhury has sought the opportunity for result publication and oath-taking in his application. The Appellate Division has accepted it. At the same time, 9 June has been set for the appeal hearing.”
