The High Court on Wednesday ruled that government officials cannot participate in elections within three years of their retirement.

A bench of Justice Naima Haider and Justice Kazi Zinat Hoque delivered the verdict.

Earlier, on December 4, the court dismissed four separate writ petitions challenging the provision that barred military and civilian government officials from contesting parliamentary elections until three years after retirement. The court issued the ruling after hearing arguments from the concerned lawyers.

The petitions argued that the right to vote is a fundamental constitutional right and that restricting government employees from contesting elections immediately after retirement violates both the principles of equality and the core essence of Article 27 of the Constitution.

Notably, the bench concluded the hearing on November 29, stating that the verdict could be delivered at any time.