The High Court on Thursday declared illegal the Election Commission’s decision cancelling the candidature of Bangladesh Nationalist Party leader Sarwar Alamgir from the Chattogram-2 constituency over allegations of loan default.

A division bench comprising Justice Fahmida Quader and Justice Md Ashif Hasan delivered the verdict after making absolute a rule issued earlier in the case.

The court held that the Election Commission’s decision disqualifying Sarwar Alamgir from contesting the 13th National Parliament election was not lawful and affirmed his eligibility to contest from the constituency.

Earlier, the High Court had stayed the EC’s order cancelling his nomination and directed the commission to allow him to participate in the election.

Subsequently, the Appellate Division, in an order passed on June 16 by a five-member bench headed by the chief justice, directed the High Court to dispose of the pending rule.

The apex court also ordered that the publication of the election gazette, the declaration of the result and the oath-taking of Sarwar Alamgir, who was unofficially declared elected, would remain stayed until the High Court disposed of the rule.