The High Court today stayed the cancellation of the nomination of SM Azmal Hossain, an independent candidate contesting from Khulna-4 constituency, and ordered the Election Commission to allow him to contest the election.

The constituency comprises Rupsa, Terokhada and Dighalia upazilas.

A HC bench of Justice Razik-Al-Jalil and Justice Md Anowarul Islam passed the order after hearing a writ petition filed by the candidate, challenging the decisions of the returning officer and the Election Commission.

Earlier, the returning officer had cancelled Azmal’s nomination on January 3, 2026. The decision was subsequently upheld when the Election Commission rejected his appeal on January 11, 2026.

Following the rejection of his appeal, Azmal filed a writ petition with the High Court seeking relief.

After hearing the matter, the court stayed both the January 3 and January 11 orders and directed the EC to allow Azmal to contest the election as a candidate.