SC upholds HC verdict reinstating four constituencies in Bagerhat

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld a High Court verdict that directed the Election Commission (EC) to reinstate all four parliamentary constituencies in Bagerhat district.

A five-member bench of the Appellate Division headed by Chief Justice Dr Syed Refaat Ahmed passed the order after dismissing several leave to appeal petitions filed by Election Commission and some other individuals against the High Court verdict.

The apex court also vacated an order passed earlier by its chamber judge asking the respondents to maintain status quo on the High Court verdict.

The High Court verdict reinstating four parliamentary constituencies in Bagerhat district will remain in effect following the Appellate Division order, said the lawyers concerned.

After hearing two writ petitions, the High Court on November 10 this year declared an EC gazette notification that reduced the number of parliamentary constituencies in Bagerhat district from four to three as illegal.

It also directed the authorities concerned to reinstate all four constituencies in the district.

Later the Election Commission and some other individuals filed several leave to appeal petitions against the High Court verdict.

Earlier on 4 September, the EC published the final list of re-demarcated boundaries for 300 constituencies through a gazette notification.

Under the new arrangement, EC re-demarcated Bagerhat upazilas into three constituencies, while the district had four constituencies previously, and Gazipur upazilas into six constituencies while the district had five constituencies previously.