Dhaka, Dec. 10 -- The Supreme Court's Appellate Division has upheld the High Court ruling that declared the Election Commission's gazette reducing the number of parliamentary seats in Bagerhat from four to three illegal.

The top court's decision comes just ahead of the announcement of the schedule for the upcoming general election. As a result, the 13th parliamentary election will see Bagerhat vote for four parliamentary seats.

A five-member appellate bench led by Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed made its decision on Wednesday after hearing a leave to appeal petition against the High Court's ruling.

After the hearing, Election Commission lawyer Kamal Hossain Meahzi said in response to media questions: "I will inform the Election Commiss...