Writ petition filed challenging referendum validity, seeks result annulment
According to the Election Commission’s data and a government gazette, in the referendum, 4,82,00,660 votes for "Yes" were cast in favour of the constitutional reform proposals, clearing the path to formally implement the July Charter
A writ petition has been filed with the High Court challenging the legality of the referendum, held alongside the 13th national election, on 12 February and seeking the annulment of its results announced the next day.
The petition was filed in the public interest by Supreme Court lawyer ABM Ataul Majid Touhid today (17 February).
The petition names the chief election commissioner, the cabinet secretary, and the law secretary as respondents. Speaking to reporters, Ataul said the petition may be heard next week by a High Court bench led by Justice Fatema Najib.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
According to the Election Commission's data and a government gazette, in the referendum, 4,82,00,660 votes for "Yes" were cast in favour of the constitutional reform proposals, clearing the path to formally implement the July Charter.
On the other hand, a total of 2,20,71,726 votes for "No" were cast against the proposals.
The gazette further stated that a total of 7,76,95,023 voters exercised their franchise in the referendum.
Of them, 7,02,72,386 votes were declared valid, while 74,22,637 ballots were rejected. According to the July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) Implementation Order, elected MPs will simultaneously serve on the Constitution Reform Council.
They will implement reforms based on the Charter's constitutional proposals within 180 working days of the first parliamentary sitting.
