The Supreme Court’s Chamber Judge Court, led by Justice Md Rezaul Haque, has suspended a High Court verdict that ordered the restoration of the previous boundaries of Cumilla-1 and Cumilla-2 constituencies. The decision came on Sunday, January 11, following hearings on separate petitions filed by the Election Commission and an independent candidate challenging the earlier High Court ruling. Lawyers stated that the suspension removes any legal barriers to holding elections under the new constituency boundaries.

Earlier, on January 8, the High Court had declared parts of the Election Commission’s gazette on constituency redemarcation illegal and directed the Commission to reinstate the previous boundaries within 24 hours. The High Court’s order had sought to revert Cumilla-1 to include Daudkandi and Titas upazilas, and Cumilla-2 to include Homna and Meghna upazilas, instead of the new configuration.

The Chamber Judge’s suspension will remain effective until a leave-to-appeal petition is filed, allowing the Election Commission to proceed with elections under the new demarcation for now.