Legal Challenge Seeks Suspension of July National Certificate

A public interest petition has been filed seeking a suspension of the operation of the July National Certificate, citing claims that the certificate is unlawful and inconsistent with the Constitution.

The petition was submitted on Wednesday by Supreme Court lawyer Advocate Yunus Ali Akand, acting in the interest of the public. It requests that the certificate be declared invalid and that its enforcement be temporarily halted pending judicial review.

The respondents named in the petition include the Election Commission, the Speaker of the National Parliament, the Secretary of the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, and other relevant officials.

Advocate Akand indicated that the petition is expected to be heard next week by a High Court bench headed by Justice Rajik Al Jalil, though the exact date is yet to be confirmed.

This latest legal action follows earlier challenges related to the February 12 national referendum. On 17 February, a separate petition was filed at the High Court, seeking annulment of the February 13 referendum results. That petition was lodged by Supreme Court lawyer A B M Ataul Majid Tauhid, also in the public interest.

The petitions collectively question both the legality of the July National Certificate and the validity of the referendum process, raising constitutional concerns that may have far-reaching implications for governance and electoral oversight in the country.

Key Details of Legal Challenges

Legal experts suggest that if the petitions succeed, both the implementation of the July National Certificate and the recent referendum results could be put on hold, pending a full judicial review. The cases have attracted significant public attention, highlighting ongoing debates over constitutional compliance and electoral transparency in the country.

The High Court bench under Justice Rajik Al Jalil is expected to deliberate on the petitions with urgency, reflecting the sensitive nature of these constitutional and electoral issues.