Dhaka: The High Court (HC) today scrapped a writ petition that pleaded for staying the process for holding the upcoming 13th national election, scheduled for February 2026. A High Court division bench comprising Justice Sikder Mahmudur Razi and Justice Raziuddin Ahmed rejected the petition as "not pressed," indicating it was not presented properly.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the petitioner, advocate Md Earul Islam, quoted the court's observation, stating, "When the country is moving into an election phase, the filing of such a writ at this stage is deemed to be inappropriate." Following this, the petitioner chose to abstain from further pursuing the plea, leading the court to dismiss it as not pressed.
The writ was filed by Bangladesh Congress Secretary General advocate Md Earul Islam on December 3. The petition raised concerns that Deputy Commissioners (DCs) and Upazila Nirbahi Officers (UNOs) were being appointed as returning officers and assistant returning officers, respectively, instead of district and upazila election officers.