EC suspends polls activities in Pabna-1, 2

The Election Commission yesterday halted election activities in Pabna-1 and Pabna-2 constituencies due to boundary-related issues.

The decision was made following a Supreme Court order.

Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud said yesterday, “According to the directive of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, election activities in Pabna-1 and Pabna-2 will be suspended until a further court order.”

However, the EC dismissed media reports claiming that it has decided to “postpone election in the two seats”, saying that the media has misattributed statements and the commission will make the final decision after receiving the court order.

Talking to The Daily Star, Ruhul Amin Mallik, EC director (public relations), asked the media to refrain from publishing such reports.

He added that a commissioner’s remarks were misreported as an EC decision, noting that a court order has been issued. 

When asked for clarification, Commissioner Masud said the suspension is valid but not indefinite. It will remain in place only until the court issues a further order. 

He added that the EC will make the final decision after reviewing the court order.

Meanwhile, on the last day of filing appeals against returning officers’ decisions yesterday following the scrutiny of nomination papers, 141 applications were submitted to the EC, bringing the total to 610.

Hearings on the appeals will be held from today to January 18.

On January 4, the scrutiny of nomination papers of candidates ended. Following the scrutiny, the EC declared 1,842 nomination papers valid and rejected 723 others across the country.