High Court Issues Contempt of Court Rule Against Chief Election Commissioner Nasir Uddin

The Bangladesh High Court has issued a contempt of court rule against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin, asking why disciplinary action should not be taken against him for allegedly disobeying a court order.

A bench of the High Court, comprising Justice Fahmida Quader and Justice Md. Asif Hasan, on Sunday, passed the rule in response to a petition filed in the court.

The rule calls on the CEC to submit his written explanation within four weeks on why contempt proceedings and punitive measures should not be initiated against him.

The legal challenge stems from an earlier High Court order dated 27 August 2025, which directed the CEC to dispose of an application regarding the registration of a political party named Krishak Sramik Janata Party.

According to the petitioner, Supreme Court lawyer Md. Eunus Ali Akond, the Election Commission did not implement that order within a reasonable time, prompting the contempt petition.

During the hearing, Advocate Eunus Ali Akond told the court that despite the High Court’s directive, the Election Commission failed to take action on the party registration matter, leading to a violation of the court’s order.

The bench agreed to issue the rule to examine the reasons for non-compliance and to consider possible sanctions under the contempt law.

The development has drawn attention to the question of accountability of constitutional bodies and their leaders in complying with judicial directives.

The High Court’s move highlights the importance of adhering to court orders as part of upholding the rule of law in Bangladesh. The CEC now has a set period to respond to the rule and justify its actions before the court proceeds further.