Writ seeks judicial probe into city polls ‘irregularities’

A writ petition was filed with the High Court today seeking its directive on the Election Commission and government to form a judicial inquiry commission with its retired judges to conduct investigation into the reported irregularities during the April 28 city polls.

Eunus Ali Akand, a Supreme Court lawyer, submitted the petition also praying to the HC to issue a rule upon the EC and the government to explain why their alleged failure in holding the city elections in a free and fair manner should not be declared illegal.

He requested the court to make the EC, chief election commissioner and secretaries to the LGRD, home and law and returning officers of Dhaka North, Dhaka South and Chittagong city corporations respondents to the required rule.

Citing the media reports, Eunus Ali said in the petition that there were irregularities during the three city polls.

Democracy is the basic structure of the constitution but this provision has been violated since people could not cast their vote in the elections, the petitioner said.

Different countries and international organisations including the United States, United Kingdom and United Nations have reportedly demanded investigation into the irregularities that allegedly took place during the elections.

After fling the petition, Eunus Ali told The Daily Star that he will place the petition before a HC bench for its hearing later in the day.