The High Court (HC) on Monday declared illegal an Election Commission gazette that reduced the parliamentary seats in Bagerhat from four to three in September.

HC also ordered the Commission to retain the four parliamentary seats, which were operational in the district since 1969.

Justice Shashank Shekhar Sarkar and Justice KM Jahid Sarwar Kajol issued the instructions in response to a writ filed in this regard. Barrister Sheikh Muhammad Zakir Hossain moved on behalf of the petitioner during the hearing.

Earlier, on 16 September, another HC bench asked authorities, including EC, to explain within ten working day why its relevant gazette should not be declared “illegal” and why the four seats would not be retained.

Two writs were filed against the EC gazette by Bagerhat Press Club, Bagerhat Bar Council, BNP’s Bagerhat district unit, Jamaat-e-Islami’s district unit, Islami Andolon Bangladesh’s district unit, and Bagerhat District Truck Owners’ Association. The interim government, Election Commission, Chief Election Commissioner, Election Commission Secretary and the Attorney General were made respondents to the writ.

On 30 July, the Election Commission first proposed the reduction in parliamentary seats, sparking coordinated demonstrations by district-level politicians.

They also took part in the Commission’s complaint hearing sessions.

However, on 4 September, the Commission issued its final gazette, ignoring the local politicians’ demands. This sparked even wider demonstrations as politicians alleged that the Commission disregarded “people’s aspirations.”