DHAKA: Supreme Court’s Appellate Division Monday stayed the High Court order for holding reelection in the Noakhali-6 parliamentary constituency by unseating the incumbent MP.

Chamber judge of the Appellate Division ABM Khairul Haque passed the order after hearing a petition by the lone independent Member of Parliament from the constituency, Fazlul Azim.

The court fixed October 5 for next hearing on the petition in the full bench of the Appellate Division.

Earlier on Thursday, the High Court cancelled the election results of the constituency and asked the Election Commission to hold reelection to the vacated parliament seat.

Ayesha Ferdous, wife of Awami League candidate Mohammad Ali who had bagged the second-highest votes in the December 2008 national elections, had earlier filed a petition with the election commission tribunal in 2009 alleging “massive rigging”. The electoral case was then forwarded to the High Court.   

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

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

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

BDST: 1435 HRS, AUG 30, 2010.