DHAKA: The High Court Thursday cancelled the election results of the Noakhali-6 constituency and asked the Election Commission to hold reelection to the vacated parliament seat.

A one-member bench comprising Justice Md Emdadul Haque delivered the verdict after the hearing on a writ petition, which unseated the lone independent member in the heavily government-dominated present parliament.

Ayesha Ferdous, wife of Awami League candidate Mohammad Ali who had bagged the second-highest votes in the December 2008 national elections, filed the petition with the election commission tribunal in 2009, alleging “massive rigging”.

BNP leader Fazlul Azim, who stood as independent candidate, won the election.

The plaintiff also complained in her case that election officer Abul Hashem helped Fazlul Azim “manipulate vote”.

The High Court also ordered the authorities concerned to update the list of voters of 10 centers where rigging allegedly took place during the polls.

In its rulings the court said the Election Commission would decide the date for reelection to the seat.

Barrister Amir ul Islam moved for the plaintiff while Barrister Rokonuddin Mahmud for Fazlul Azim.

BDST: 1941 HRS. AUGUST 26, 2010