Shadesh DEsk:

The Appellate Division on Tuesday overturned its 2022 verdict that had canceled the Administration Tribunal’s 2010 ruling, which ordered the reinstatement of 82 upazila election officers, dismissed during the army-backed caretaker government on September 3, 2007.

A five-member bench, led by chief justice Syed Refaat Ahmed, delivered the verdict in response to a review petition filed by Abdul Alim and 84 terminated election officers.

With this ruling, the Supreme Court has resolved a 17-year legal battle over the termination of these officers, who were dismissed amid allegations of political bias, as they were recruited under the IBA during the BNP-led government.

A total of 324 were qualified for the post of upazila election officers, of which 85 were terminated although they competed two years probationary period in September 2009.

Out of the 85, 2 candidates died during pendency of the legal battle.

The Appellate Division directed the Election Commission to reinstate the 82 election officers immediately, restoring their seniority and treating their absence as extraordinary leave.

Additionally, the Appellate Division ordered the Election Commission to provide service benefits to the families of deceased officers.