The High Court verdict over convicts taking part in election is not acceptable, says BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir before adding that the ruling aims to keep party chief Khaleda Zia away from the Dec 30 polls.
“The verdict reflects the government’s desire. It aims to keep the BNP, 20-party Alliance and the Jatiya Oikya Front to keep away from the election. The people have rejected the verdict,” he told the media on Tuesday (Nov 27) at the party chief’s Gulshan offices.
Earlier in the day, the High Court said a convict sentenced to more than two years in jail cannot contest the election, even if an appeal is pending.
The court came up with the observation in line with Article 66 (2)(D) of the Constitution.
It said a convict can only run after a five-year term after completion of the term.
The bench of Justice Mohammad Nazrul Islam Talukder and Justice KM Hafizul Alam gave the order while scrapping petitions filed by five BNP leaders seeking suspension of their conviction in graft cases.
“We expected Khaleda Zia to be released from jail and contest the polls, but the government used the court to keep her away from the election,” said the BNP leader.

Related stories

Convicted persons can’t contest polls even if sentence stayed: HC

Khaleda Zia will not be able to contest polls: Attorney General