Dhaka: The High Court on Monday stayed the Election Commission’s decision declaring invalid BNP leaders Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku and Ruhul QuddusTalukder Dulu, clearing the way for them to contest the 11th parliamentary election.

The HC bench of Justice Sheikh Hassan Arif and Justice Rajik Al Jalil passed the order, reports the UNB.

It also issued a rule asking the authorities concerned to explain why rejection of their candidature by the EC should not be declared illegal.

Their lawyers said that as the effectiveness of their conviction has been stayed, they would be allowed to contest the election.

Earlier, the EC rejected the appeals by BNP’s Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku from Sirajganj 2 and Ruhul KuddusTalukdarDulu from Natore-2 and stayed the decision of the returning officers.

Meanwhile, the court upheld an EC decision which rejected the appeal of BNP leader Abdul Wadud Bhuiya from Khagrachhari-1.

The BNP leaders filed petitions on Sunday against the decision of the Election Commission.

Later, the HC completed the hearing and kept it pending to pass an order today.