‘Govt officials can`t contest polls within 3yrs of retirement’

The High Court has ruled that government officials cannot contest Jatiya Sangsad elections within three years of their retirement.

An HC bench of Justice Naima Haider and Justice Zeenat Haque passed the order on Monday (December 4).

Senior lawyer Barrister Tania Amir and Advocate Prabir Neogi moved for the petitioner while Attorney General A M Amin Uddin and Deputy Attorney General Amit Dasgupta stood for the state.

Earlier the High Court on January 19 issued the rule asking the government and Election Commission to explain in four weeks why the provision of section 12(1) (f) of the Representation of People Order, (RPO), 1972 should not be declared illegal.

The HC issued the rule following a writ petition filed by Brigadier General (retired) Md Shamim Kamal challenging the legality of the provision.