A lawyer on Monday moved the High Court seeking a stay on the process to elect the next President of the country.
The petition filed with the bench concerned of the Supreme Court by Yunus Ali Akhand also sought a ruling asking why Article 70 of the Constitution should not be scrapped after being declared ‘conflicting’ with the entire Constitution.
The Law Secretary, Cabinet Secretary, Parliament Affairs Secretary and the Chief Election Commissioner have been made respondents to the case.
Article 70 of the Bangladesh Constitution says: “A person elected as a Member of Parliament at an election, in which he was nominated as a candidate by a political party, shall vacate his seat if he resigns from that party or votes in parliament against the party.”
Speaking to bdnews24.com Akhand said the article said any individual would lose his membership if he or she votes for a presidential candidate defying his party’s decision.
“That person may not be able to vote for the eligible candidate due to this reason,” he said.
He said the article restrained ‘suitable’ candidates from taking part in the election.
Bangladesh must elect its 20th President within June 19 as per the constitutional provisions after the demise of President Mohammad Zillur Rahman on Mar 20.
