The Election Commission has sent a letter to the Law Ministry seeking its opinion on whether a gazette notification should be issued declaring Ishraque Hossain as the elected mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC). This move follows a court verdict that nullified the results of the 2020 DSCC elections and instead declared Ishraque, son of former mayor and BNP leader Sadeque Hossain Khoka, as the rightful winner. Ishraque was present in court during the verdict and celebrated the decision with a victory rally inside the courtroom.

Ishraque’s lawyer, Rafiqul Islam, explained that the court ruling came after reviewing evidence of alleged electoral fraud during the 2020 DSCC election. According to the petition, Ishraque’s motorcade was attacked, Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) were manipulated, and voters were obstructed from casting their votes. Despite these claims, the Election Commission had declared Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh as the winner and issued a gazette. Ishraque challenged the EC’s decision on March 3, 2020, by filing a case, which eventually led to this ruling in his favor.

The petition further stated that Ishraque’s polling agents were assaulted and forcibly removed from polling stations, a matter that had been reported in the media at the time. Although written complaints were submitted, the EC allegedly remained inactive. It also noted that Taposh had violated electoral rules by using colored posters, a complaint that was dismissed. Ishraque also claimed that his campaign materials, including microphones and posters, were vandalized by ruling party supporters.

The court, after a full hearing, accepted the allegations and declared Ishraque Hossain the rightful mayor, prompting the Election Commission to now seek legal advice on the next administrative steps.