The Election Commission has announced the postponement of announcing the outcome of the Chattogram-4 constituency in the 13th national election due to an ongoing appeal at the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court. This decision was made following a directive issued by the Appellate Division on February 3 regarding a petition previously addressed by the High Court Division.
The Supreme Court ruling on that day allowed BNP candidate Mohammad Aslam Chowdhury to participate in the election for Chattogram-4 in compliance with the law. Nevertheless, it specified that the final declaration of the election results for the constituency would be withheld until the resolution of a leave-to-appeal petition contesting the High Court’s decision that validated his candidacy.
Adhering to the court’s instructions, the Election Commission emphasized its legal obligation to refrain from releasing the outcome of the seat until a definitive verdict is reached by the Supreme Court. Additionally, the Appellate Division granted permission to Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Md Anwar Siddique to pursue his leave-to-appeal petition against the High Court’s ruling.
Advocate Mohammad Hossain Lipu, representing Anwar, stated that his client had challenged the Election Commission’s authorization of Aslam’s candidacy, alleging that the BNP candidate has unpaid debts totaling Tk 2,100 crore from 23 banks.