Lawyer seeks stay on presidential election, challenges Article 70

A Supreme Court lawyer has filed a petition with the Appellate Division seeking to halt the presidential election scheduled for tomorrow. Md Eunus Ali Akond's move comes a day after the High Court rejected a writ petition that questioned the constitutional validity of Article 70 and sought to postpone the election.

Article 70 stipulates that a lawmaker's seat becomes vacant if they resign from or vote against their nominating political party. Akond's petition argues against this article and seeks a stay on the election proceedings. The Appellate Division's chamber judge is expected to hear the petition this afternoon.

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The court cannot interfere in this issue.

Previously, a High Court bench dismissed Akond's writ petition, observing that the court could not interfere in the matter. The High Court suggested that a special parliamentary committee formed for constitutional amendments might address Article 70. The court also found that the presidential election schedule was lawfully announced under the Presidential Election Act, 1991, and saw no merit in the petition, clearing the way for the election to proceed.

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There is no legal bar to holding the presidential election on August 20 following the HC order.