Dhaka: The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court on Wednesday stayed a High Court order that had overturned an Election Commission’s decision barring BNP leaders Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku and Ruhul QuddusTalukder Dulu from contesting the 11th parliamentary elections.

The seven-member full Appellate Division bench, led by Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain, passed the order after hearing a petition filed by the EC, reports the UNB.

Advocate Fida M Kamal and Advocate Ajmalul Hossain QC stood for Tuku and Dulu while Attorney General Mahbubey Alam represented the Election Commission.

On Tuesday, chamber judge of the Appellate Division Justice Hasan Foez Siddique stayed the HC order and sent the petition to the full bench fixing Wednesday for hearing.

On Tuesday, the Election Commission filed the petition with the Supreme Court challenging the High Court order.

The High Court on Monday stayed the EC’s decision declaring the BNP leaders invalid for the election.

Earlier, the EC rejected the appeals of BNP leader Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku from Sirajganj-2 and Ruhul Kuddus Talukdar Dulu from Natore-2 after they challenged the decisions of respective returning officers turning down their nomination.

Later, they moved the High Court seeking redress.