HC rejects writ on RPO Sec 19

The High Court rejected Thursday a public interest litigation (PIL) writ challenging the validity of Section 19 of the RPO empowering MP candidates to be elected unopposed, reports UNB.

The HC Division bench comprising Justice Mirza Hossain Haider and Justice M Khurshid Alam Khan passed the order.

The court also rejected a plea in the writ petition seeking direction for inclusion of a provision of 'no vote' in the RPO.

In its observation on the plea, the bench said that the parliament might give a decision in connection with the inclusion of 'no vote' provision.

The HC Wednesday fixed the date for delivering the order after closing arguments over the writ petition.

On the closing day, constitution interpreter Advocate Mahmudul Islam backed the arguments made by two other amici curiae-Barrister Rokan Uddin Mahmud and Barrister Ajmalul Hossain QC-on the Section 19 of the Representation of the People Order (RPO).

Mahmudul Islam gave his opinion as an amicus curiae (friend of the court).

Other amici curiae Dr Kamal Hossain and Barrister Rafique-ul Huq and rights activist Dr Badiul Alam Majumder opposed the impugned provision, backing PIL writ petitioner Jatiya Party (Japa) leader Khandker Abdus Salam.

Responding to the petition, the High Court on February 16 issued a rule asking the government, the Election Commission and others to explain why Section 19 of the RPO empowering an eligible single candidate to be elected MP unopposed should not be declared unconstitutional.

Passing the order, the HC also appointed a group of people as amici to assist the court in disposing of the impugned issue.