A writ petition has been filed with the High Court challenging the legality of the nationwide referendum held on February 12 and seeking the annulment of its results, which were announced the following day.
Filed as a public-interest litigation, the petition argues that the Constitution does not permit referendums and that the Election Commission acted beyond its authority in conducting the vote.
The petition was submitted on Tuesday by Supreme Court lawyer ABM Ataul Mazid, who contended that the referendum was unconstitutional and therefore void.
It prayed for the court to issue a rule asking the authorities to explain why the referendum held on February 12 should not be declared illegal and unconstitutional.
Speaking to The Financial Express, Ataul Mazid reiterated that the referendum had no constitutional basis.
He said the High Court may hear the petition next week.
According to the Election Commission, 48,074,429 voters cast ballots in favour of "Yes", while 22,565,627 voted "No".
The "Yes" vote secured 62.74 per cent support, compared with 29.32 per cent for "No". A total of 7,402,285 ballots, or 9.61 per cent, were cancelled.
bikashju@gmail.com