HC issues rule over EC law
STAFF REPORTER
The High Court yesterday issued a rule asking the government to explain within four weeks why it should not be directed to formulate a law in accordance with the Article 118 of the Constitution for constituting the Election Commission. In response to a writ petition, the HC bench comprising Justice Moyeenul Islam Choudhury and Justice JBM Hassan came up with the rule. The chief election commissioner, cabinet secretary, law secretary and parliament secretary have been asked to reply to the rule within four weeks. Supreme Court lawyer Eunus Ali Akond, on January 11, filed the petition with the HC seeking necessary order on the authorities concerned to formulate a law for appointing the chief election commissioner and other election commissioners. The petition said that the government is supposed to formulate a law for constituting the Election Commission under Article 118 of the Constitution, but the government is yet to take any initiative in this matter.
Article 118 (4) of The Constitution of the Peoples Republic of Bangladesh states, The Election Commission shall be independent in the exercise of its functions and subject only to this Constitution and any other law. Article 118 (5) states: Subject to the provisions of any law made by Parliament, the conditions of service of Election Commissioners shall be such as the President may, by order, determine:
