SC order on Kader Siddique's appeal today

The Supreme Court will pass an order today on the appeal filed by Krishak Sramik Janata League President Abdul Kader Siddique, challenging a High Court verdict that upheld the cancellation of his candidacy for Tangail-4 by-polls.

A bench of the Appellate Division headed by Chief Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha fixed the date after hearing the appeal.

On February 4, the HC upheld the Election Commission's (EC) decision that had cancelled the candidacy of Kader Siddique, and directed the EC to proceed with the by-polls.

On February 29, the EC fixed March 20 for holding the by-election.

The EC on September 16 last year issued a notification fixing November 10 for the by-polls to the constituency that fell vacant following the resignation of Awami League lawmaker Abdul Latif Siddique from parliament, and asked aspirants to submit nomination papers by October 11.

As the returning officer on October 13 cancelled Kader Siddique's nomination on loan default charges, he filed separate appeals, first with the EC and then with the HC.

Rejected by both EC and HC, Kader Siddique on February 25 filed a leave-to-appeal petition with the SC challenging the HC verdict.