The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh will decide whether BNP leader Ishraque Hossain will be administered the oath as Mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC). This was stated by the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court on Thursday, May 29, during the disposal of a related petition. The full bench, led by Chief Justice Dr. Syed Refaat Ahmed and comprising seven justices, made the observation after hearing arguments presented on behalf of the EC.

Previously, on May 28, the court had fixed May 29 to hear the EC’s stance regarding the issuance of a gazette declaring Ishraque Hossain as mayor. The court also scheduled a hearing on a leave-to-appeal petition filed against a prior High Court order that dismissed a writ seeking to block Ishraque from being sworn in. Barrister Mahbub Uddin Khokon represented Ishraque Hossain in court, while Advocate Mohammad Hossain represented the petitioners.

On May 14, a Dhaka resident, Md. Mamunur Rashid, filed a writ with the High Court requesting that Ishraque not be sworn in as DSCC mayor. The petition also sought punitive action against the judge of the Dhaka First Joint District Judge and Election Tribunal, who had declared Ishraque the validly elected mayor. The writ was submitted by Advocate Kazi Akbar Ali. The High Court, however, rejected the petition on May 26. Following that decision, the petitioner filed a leave-to-appeal, which was heard by the Appellate Division, leading to Thursday’s order.