Reserved women’s seat term challenged at court

The extended term of reserved women’s seat at the parliament has been challenged at court.

Supreme Court lawyer Advocate Eunus Ali Akond filed a petition with the High Court today against the constitutional amendment that extended their term to 25 years.

Advocate Akond prayed for a rule upon the government to explain why the 17th amendment of the constitution should not be declared illegal and unconstitutional.

In the petition he requested the High Court to stay the schedule for holding the election to reserved seats for women in parliament, which numbers to 50.

“Bangladesh Constitution’s 17th amendment is contradictory to the constitution itself,” Advocate Eunus Ali Akond told The Daily Star after filing the petition.

All the representatives in the administration are elected through polls as per Article 11, but the women lawmakers are not elected through the election, he said.

“The women lawmakers are nominated for the reserved seats unopposed,” Akond said.

Younus also said the court may hold hearing on his petition next Sunday.

Previously, the term of a lawmaker in the reserved women’s seat was 10 years, what was extended to 25 during a parliament session in July 8 last year.