Thursday, April 18, 2024
Tabith Awal, who contested in Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) polls for mayoral post with BNP ticket, has filed a petition with an election tribunal, seeking an order on the returning officer to provide all necessary documents related to the DNCC polls held on February 1, 2020.
Confirming the matter to The Business Post on Wednesday (29 July) Barrister AKM Ehsanur Rahman said, “Today I filed the petition on behalf of Tabith Awal. The hearing may be held by the election tribunal after Eid-ul-Adha holidays.”
In the petition, Tabith sought fourteen specific documents and all other necessary papers related to the DNCC election.
Tabith Awal urged the tribunal to order the returning officer to submit documents, including records relating to a number of sealed Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) handed over by the assistant returning officers to the presiding officers, all polling cards, audit cards and SD cards used in the EVMs in all the centres.
He also urged the tribunal to submit the entire logbook comprising the use of EVMs in the DNCC poll 2020, list of all officials and others assigned to various duties and responsibilities regarding the election.
Earlier on March 03, 2020, Tabith Awal filed a lawsuit with an election tribunal in the capital, demanding cancellation of the February 1 election.
The chief election commissioner, commission's secretary, winner candidate Atiqul Islam and five others were made defendants to contest the suit.
In the suit, Tabith claimed that the DNCC election was held amid irregularities and corruption, adding that on that day, a satisfactory number of voters did not turn up to cast their votes.
Tabith also alleged that the election commissioner, in collusion with others, declared Atiqul the mayor of DNCC.
Besides, he also appealed to the tribunal to declare an election process for the post of mayor in the DNCC polls 2020 void and order for a fresh election.
nh/wi
