Former Election Commissioner Md Sohul Hussain has said the Jamaat-e-Islami MPs will not lose their seats for now, although the High Court revoked the party’s registration.
Thursday’s verdict will prevent the party from contesting the forthcoming national polls, Election Commission (EC) lawyer Shahdin Malik had said after the ruling.
Jamaat registered with the EC in 2008, when the ATM Shamsul Huda-led administration made it mandatory for parties seeking to contest polls. Former Law Secretary Hussain was a member of that Commission.
Only two MPs represent the party in the 345-strong House. ANM Shamsul Islam and AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad won from Chittagong-14 and Cox’s Bazar-2 constituencies respectively in the ninth parliamentary elections.
Speaking to bdnews24.com after the verdict, Hussain said, “They (Islam and Azad) will not lose their seats since the verdict has been delivered on the party’s registration.”
He said the two became MPs in 2008, when Jamaat’s registration was legal. “So, they won’t lose their seats automatically.”
Jamaat has already moved the Appellate Division challenging the verdict and has sought a freeze on the execution of the latest judgment.
Hussain said the posts of the two MPs had not been challenged in court.
“They will lose their seats only if a legal body declares them illegal.”
Source: Bd news24