Leave-to-appeal of 84 upazila election officers accepted

BLHouse Report

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court yesterday accepted a leave-to-appeal filed by the government against a Administrative Appellate Tribunal's judgment that directed the Election Commission to reinstate 84 upazila election officers, terminated during the last caretaker government.

The apex court also set February 22 next year for hearing on the matter.

It also upheld the Chamber Judge's order that stayed the judgment of the Tribunal until the matter is disposed of in the apex court.

The three-member bench of the Appellate Division headed by Chief Justice ABM Khairul Haque passed the order.

The 84 upazila election officers, appointed during the four-party alliance government in 2005, were terminated during the last caretaker government in 2007 alleging that their appointments were made on political consideration.

Challenging the decision, they filed a petition with the Administrative Tribunal that delivered its judgment against them. Later, they appealed with the Administrative Appellate Tribunal that on April 22 this year declared their termination illegal.

Against the judgment, the government filed the leave-to-appeal petition with the Appellate Division. The Chamber Judge of the SC on June 25 stayed the Appellate Tribunal's judgment, sent the leave-appeal to the full bench of the Appellate Division.

Yesterday, the Appellate Division passed said the order following the leave-to-appeal.