The High Court (HC) today stayed till August 5 the Sylhet-3 by-poll due to the government restrictions to tackle the coronavirus infection across the country.

A High Court division virtual bench of Justice M Enayetur Rahim passed the order after holding a hearing on a writ filed in this regard.

“As the ongoing restrictions have been imposed till August 5, the by-election is being stayed till that day,” the court said. The High Court asked the Attorney General to inform this matter to the Election Commission.

Earlier, five lawyers sent a legal notice to the Chief Election Commissioner to stay the proceedings to hold the election amid the ongoing corona crisis. Later, six lawyers and seven voters of that constituency filed the writ petition this morning.

Supreme Court lawyer Advocate Mohammad Shishir Manir took part in the hearing for the plea, while Attorney General AM Amin Uddin, Deputy Attorney Generals Samarendra Nath Biswas and Bipul Bagmar argued for the state.

The Sylhet-3 seat fell vacant after the death of MP Mahmud Us Samad Chowdhury on March 11.