BNP Chairperson Khaleda's hope to run polls diminishes

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia's hope to contest the upcoming general election has been diminished after the Supreme Court today said convicts with over two years' sentencing cannot run polls.

The apex court upheld a High Court order that ruled a convict sentenced to more than two years cannot contest elections even if his or her appeals against conviction remain pending.

The apex court order means that if any person is convicted and sentenced to more than two years cannot contest the elections in five years after serving the jail sentence, saidAdditional Attorney General Murad Reza.

A seven-member bench of the Appellate Division headed by Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain passed "no order" on the petition filed by Zahid Hossain seeking a stay on suspension/stay on his conviction and sentence, he said.

The "no order" means that the SC refused to stay the HC order.

Following the apex court order, no convicts including Khaleda Zia will be able to contest the elections as their conviction and sentences were not suspended, Murad Reza said.

Zahid Hossain's lawyer Barrister Rokonuddin Mahmud said that there is a way for discussion of legal interpretation following the SC no order.

Replying to a question, he said the returning officer will decide whether his client can contest the elections.

Source: thedailystar