HC issues rule to bar Jatiya Party from contesting election

The High Court (HC) issued a rule asking why candidates of the National Party (GM Quader), its splinter faction led by Anisul Islam Mahmud, and Anwar Hossain Manju led National Democratic Front (NDF) should not be barred from the 13th parliamentary election or declared ineligible.

A bench comprising Justices Razik Al Jalil and Md. Anwarul Islam passed the order on Sunday (January 11).

The petition was filed on January 4 by Bhola resident and July uprising participant Abdullah Al Mahmud, naming the law secretary, home secretary, cabinet secretary, chief election commissioner, and election commission secretary as respondents.

Barrister A S M Shahriar Kabir, representing the petitioner, said the National Party (GM Quader faction) has fielded candidates in 243 constituencies, while the NDF has nominated 131 candidates across 119 seats.

He added the petition cites alleged human rights violations linked to the Awami League-led 14-party Grand Alliance, as noted in UN reports.

The High Court had first heard the petition on January 7 and reserved the order for further hearing, which was delivered today.