EC washes hands of Latif�s ouster

The Election Commission (EC) has dismissed the petition of former posts and telecommunications minister Abdul Latif Siddique, as Parliament has vacated his seat.
The commission yesterday said there was nothing more to do to take a decision on Latif’s resignation as MP, since the matter has already been settled by the Parliament’s gazette notification on September 3.
EC sources said all the commissioners arrived at the unanimous decision after reviewing the gazette and necessary papers. The file will be signed by the commissioners and then sent as its verdict, they added.
The Jatiya Sangsad had issued the gazette notification on September 3, vacating the Tangail seat after Latif resigned as MP on September 1.
On October 24, 2014, the ruling Awami League (AL) had cancelled Latif’s primary membership of the party for making derogatory remarks against Islam, Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) and Hajj while addressing a gathering at Jackson Heights in New York on September 28 last year. Latif was abroad when his primary membership of the party was cancelled. He had returned to the country on November 23, 2014.
He then surrendered to Dhanmondi police on November 25 last year, as at least 30 cases were filed against him. He was later sent to Dhaka Central Jail. He was freed seven months after his arrest.
On July 13, AL wrote to Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, saying: “Awami League took the decision to expel Latif from the party in accordance with the AL’s constitution. Since he has lost the primary membership, it will not be right to retain him as an MP.” Later, the Speaker sent a letter to the EC regarding Latif’s parliamentary membership.
Then the poll panel summoned the former minister for a hearing at the EC secretariat on August 23. On that day, Latif told the EC that he would not continue the legal battle, and rather submit his resignation as an MP to the Speaker.
The EC then set September 6 for the next hearing and asked him to submit his resignation from Parliament. “Latif has to submit his resignation to the person concerned (Speaker) in a legal manner. If any information comes from the person concerned, we will take a decision in this regard on September 6,” EC commissioner Shah Nawaz had told the media.
From the beginning, Latif had claimed that the allegations brought against him by the AL were inconsistent with Articles 66(4) and 70 of the Constitution and did not need any hearing at the EC. He had also raised this point in Parliament.
According to Article 66(4), if any dispute arises as to whether a member of Parliament has, after his election, become subject to any of the disqualifications mentioned in clause (2) or as to whether a member of Parliament should vacate his seat pursuant to Article 70, the dispute shall be referred to the Election Commission to hear and determine it and the decision of the commission on such a reference shall be final.

EC washes hands of Latif�s ouster

The Election Commission (EC) has dismissed the petition of former posts and telecommunications minister Abdul Latif Siddique, as Parliament has vacated his seat. The commission yesterday said there was nothing more to do to take a decision on Latifs resignation as MP, since the matter has already been settled by the Parliaments gazette notification on September 3. EC sources said all the commissioners arrived at the unanimous decision after reviewing the gazette and necessary papers. The file will be signed by the commissioners and then sent as its verdict, they added. The Jatiya Sangsad had issued the gazette notification on September 3, vacating the Tangail seat after Latif resigned as MP on September 1. On October 24, 2014, the ruling Awami League (AL) had cancelled Latifs primary membership of the party for making derogatory remarks against Islam, Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) and Hajj while addressing a gathering at Jackson Heights in New York on September 28 last year. Latif was abroad when his primary membership of the party was cancelled. He had returned to the country on November 23, 2014. He then surrendered to Dhanmondi police on November 25 last year, as at least 30 cases were filed against him. He was later sent to Dhaka Central Jail. He was freed seven months after his arrest. On July 13, AL wrote to Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, saying: Awami League took the decision to expel Latif from the party in accordance with the ALs constitution. Since he has lost the primary membership, it will not be right to retain him as an MP. Later, the Speaker sent a letter to the EC regarding Latifs parliamentary membership. Then the poll panel summoned the former minister for a hearing at the EC secretariat on August 23. On that day, Latif told the EC that he would not continue the legal battle, and rather submit his resignation as an MP to the Speaker. The EC then set September 6 for the next hearing and asked him to submit his resignation from Parliament. Latif has to submit his resignation to the person concerned (Speaker) in a legal manner. If any information comes from the person concerned, we will take a decision in this regard on September 6, EC commissioner Shah Nawaz had told the media. From the beginning, Latif had claimed that the allegations brought against him by the AL were inconsistent with Articles 66(4) and 70 of the Constitution and did not need any hearing at the EC. He had also raised this point in Parliament. According to Article 66(4), if any dispute arises as to whether a member of Parliament has, after his election, become subject to any of the disqualifications mentioned in clause (2) or as to whether a member of Parliament should vacate his seat pursuant to Article 70, the dispute shall be referred to the Election Commission to hear and determine it and the decision of the commission on such a reference shall be final.