Kader’s candidature, EC appeals against HC order
The Election Commission on Monday appealed against a High Court order that had directed it to accept the nomination of Krishak Sramik Janata League president Abdul Kader Siddique in the by-election for the Tangail-4 constituency of Parliament.
The EC in its prayer to the Appellate Division also sought a stay on the HC order issued on October 21.
The by-election is due on November 10.
On behalf of the EC its lawyer Yeasin Khan filed the appeal.
He said that the attorney general was expected to move the EC petition in the vacation court of Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain today.
The returning officer cancelled Kader Siddique’s nomination citing the ground that over Tk 10 crore borrowed from the Tangail branch of Agrani Bank was not repaid by Sonar Bangla Prokowshalik Sangstha jointly owned by him and his wife.
On October 18, the EC upheld the returning officer’s decision.
On October 21, the HC stayed the EC’s decision and directed it to explain in four weeks why the cancellation of Kader Siddique’s nomination would not be declared illegal.
On October 22, the EC allotted the election symbol to Kader Siddique following the HC order.
On the same day, the EC gave the election symbols to the other contestants.
The HC gave the order after hearing Kader Siddique’s writ petition challenging the legality of the EC’s decision though Bangladesh Bank on September 8 had waived the interest on the loan and rescheduled the repayment allowing him to repay the credit in 10 years.
Earlier appearing for Kader, former attorney general AJ Mohammad Ali submitted in the HC that the EC illegally cancelled his client’s nomination even after the loan repayment was rescheduled and Agrani Bank declassified the credit with approval from the central bank.
The attorney general Mahbubey Alam had opposed the writ petition stating that Kader was a ‘loan defaulter’ and Agrani Bank rescheduled and declassified the credit without understanding the issue.
On October 11 Kader Siddique dropped nomination papers to contest the by-election after the seat fell vacant as his elder sibling Abdul Latif Siddique of ruling Awami League resigned as MP.
- See more at: http://newagebd.net/170017/kaders-candidature/#sthash.YUT0VbEE.dpuf