Commission May Decide on Next Steps in Meeting Following Supreme Court's Observations on EC’s Constitutional Role

The Election Commission (EC) has received the official copy of the court order regarding the oath-taking of BNP leader Ishraque Hossain as the mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation. The order reached the commission on the evening of Sunday, June 1, and a meeting may be held tomorrow to review the matter and decide on further action.

Senior Secretary of the Election Commission Secretariat, Akhtar Ahmed, confirmed to Bangladesh Pratidin on Sunday evening that the commission is now in possession of the court’s directive. Earlier in the day, he had stated that any action regarding Ishraque would be taken in accordance with the observations and instructions of the court.

According to EC officials, the commission is scheduled to meet tomorrow to discuss the contents of the order. A formal decision regarding Ishraque Hossain’s mayoral oath could follow the meeting.

The Supreme Court’s Appellate Division had previously disposed of a petition on May 29 that sought to halt Ishraque’s oath, including observations on the Election Commission’s role in the matter. The highest court expressed dissatisfaction with how the commission handled its constitutional duties in this case.

Particularly, the court criticized the commission for seeking the opinion of the Ministry of Law regarding the gazette notification of Ishraque’s mayoral status. The Appellate Division reminded the commission that the constitution empowers it to act independently and that ministries are constitutionally obligated to assist the Election Commission—not the other way around.

The court's comments have placed the Election Commission under scrutiny, suggesting that it failed to fulfill its constitutional responsibilities appropriately in this instance. As the commission prepares for deliberation, all eyes are now on its forthcoming decision and how it aligns with the Supreme Court’s interpretation of its constitutional mandate.