EC seeks law ministry's advice on declaring BNP’s Ishraque Hossain as Dhaka South mayor

Further action will be taken after receiving the ministry's feedback, an official says

The Election Commission is seeking the law ministry's opinion before issuing a gazette naming BNP leader Ishraque Hossain as the mayor of Dhaka South.

“After the court's directive, we are now writing to the law ministry for guidance on publishing the gazette,” EC Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said on Tuesday.

Ishraque had lost the 2020 Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) mayoral election to Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh. However, on Mar 27, the Dhaka election tribunal annulled the result and declared Ishraque the Dhaka South mayor.

EC officials said a copy of the court's verdict was reviewed by the commission. Further action will be taken after receiving the ministry's opinion.

DSCC elections were held on Feb 1, 2020. Awami League's Taposh had won the election, defeating BNP's Ishraque by a huge margin, according to the announcement made at that time.

He took charge on May 16 that year after the COVID outbreak hit the country. The five-year term of the city corporation is due to expire in June this year.