Khoka challenges polls embargo on mayors

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Dhaka mayor Sadeque Hossain Khoka filed a petition with the High Court (HC) Sunday challenging the Election Commission's (EC) embargo on mayors contesting parliamentary polls for three years after quitting office, reports bdnews24.com.
Barrister Ruhul Quddus Kajol filed the petition on Khoka's behalf Sunday with the HC bench of justices Tarique Ul Islam and Farah Mahbub.
After filing, Barrister Kajol told the news agency, "The petition demands cancellation of the EC's embargo on mayors running in the Jatiya Sangsad (JS) election."
The petitioner cited media reports saying that mayors would not be eligible to run the polls until three years after stepping down from office.
The petition said the decision affected not only Khoka, but other incumbent mayors too who were aspiring to contest the JS polls.
Mayor Khoka had in the past been elected thrice to parliament, the petition pointed out.