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DHAKA, Dec 10, 2025 (BSS) - The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court (SC) today upheld a High Court judgment that had declared the decision of the Election Commission (EC) to reduce Bagerhat's four constituencies to three as illegal, and directed the authorities concerned to restore the previous four constituencies.

The five-judge panel of the apex court bench headed by Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed passed the order, dismissing four separate leave to appeal petitions filed against the High Court judgment.

"Dismissed and the order of status quo is hereby vacated," said the order of the Appellate Division.

Concerned lawyers said because of today's order, four Bagerhat constituencies have been restored, while one constituency in Gazipur has been reduced.

Attorney General Md Asaduzzaman, aided by EC counsel Kamal Hossain Miaji, argued for the commission. Senior advocates M Badruddoza Badal and Mustafizur Rahman Khan took part in the hearing for Sarkar Jabed Ahmed and Salah Uddin Sarkar respectively, while senior advocate Sheikh Mohammad Zakir Hossain stood for writ petitioners. Senior advocate Muhammad Belayet Hossain moved the case for Hafizur Rahman.

The EC on September 4 issued a gazette notification reducing Bagerhat's four constituencies to three. Two separate petitions were later filed with the High Court, challenging the EC gazette notification.

Following a hearing on September 16, the High Court issued a rule asking the authorities concerned to explain why the EC gazette should not be declared illegal and why an order should not be passed to reinstate the previous four constituencies.

After holding final hearing on the rule, the High Court delivered the final judgment.

After the High Court judgment, EC, Gazipur-6 nomination seekers Md Salah Uddin Sarkar, Sarkar Jabed Ahmed, and Hafizur Rahman filed four separate leave to appeal petitions.