The High Court (HC) on Thursday issued a rule questioning why the provision of baring government officials from contesting the national election until three years passed after retirement is not unconstitutional.

The HC bench of Justice Zafar Ahmed and Justice Md Bashir Ullah issued this rule after hearing the writ petition filed by Brigadier General(Retd) Md Shamim Kamal.

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Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), Law Secretary, Home Secretary, Public Administration Secretary, Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Secretary and Lalmonirhat Deputy Commissioner have been asked to respond to the rule within four weeks.

Barrister Hasan MS Azim appeared for the writ petitioner in the court.

Brigadier General(Retd) Md Shamim Kamal from Lalmonirhat  filed the writ petition on January 15 challenging the provision of Article 12(1) (F) of the Representation of the People's Order 1972 which does not allow military and civilian government officials to contest the national elections until they complete three years of retirement.