HC issues rule questioning EC move to cut Bagerhat constituencies from 4 to 3
EC and other relevant authorities have been asked to respond to the rule within 10 days
The High Court has issued a rule asking why the parliamentary constituencies in Bagerhat should not remain four and also sought explanation on why the Election Commission's gazette notification reducing the number of seats down to three should not be declared illegal.
Today (16 September), a High Court bench of Justice Md Mojibur Rahman Mia and Justice Biswajit Debnath passed the order.
The EC and other relevant authorities have been asked to respond to the rule within ten days, according to court sources.
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Senior lawyer Barrister Sheikh Mohammad Zakir Hossain stood for the writ petitioners, while Assistant Attorney General Md Ikramul Kabir represented the state.
Two separate writ petitions were filed with the High Court demanding that Bagerhat retain its four constituencies.
The petitions were lodged by Bagerhat Press Club, Bagerhat District Bar Association, district BNP, district Jamaat-e-Islami, district Islami Andolon Bangladesh, and Bagerhat District Truck Owners' Association.
The government, the chief election commissioner, the EC secretary, and the attorney general were made respondents.
Ahead of the 13th parliamentary elections, the Election Commission on 30 July proposed reducing Bagerhat's four constituencies to three.
The move sparked protests from local political parties, who formed the Sorbodolio Sommilito Committee and staged hartals, blockades, and demonstrations.
They also placed their demand at the EC's public hearing.
Despite protests, the EC published its final gazette on 4 September, confirming the reduction to three constituencies with revised boundaries.
Under the new arrangement, Bagerhat-1 comprises Sadar, Chitalmari, and Mollahat; Bagerhat-2 includes Fakirhat, Rampal, and Mongla; while Bagerhat-3 consists of Kachua, Morelganj, and Sharankhola.
Previously, since 1969, Bagerhat had four constituencies: Bagerhat-1 (Chitalmari-Mollahat-Fakirhat), Bagerhat-2 (Sadar-Kachua), Bagerhat-3 (Rampal-Mongla), and Bagerhat-4.
