Khaleda can't contest polls in current context

Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda yesterday said BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia cannot contest the next general election in the present context, as she has been convicted in a case.

“She (Khaleda) is yet to move any appeal before the High Court against the lower court verdict on her. It means that she is still now convicted. Therefore, she cannot run the election. If she moves any appeal later on, we [Election Commission] will take decision about her contesting the election as per the High Court decision,” he said.

The CEC said this while talking to reporters after a courtesy call on Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain at his Supreme Court office yesterday afternoon.

He said there are two separate verdicts of the Supreme Court over contesting election by a convicted person.

“One judgment said if anybody is convicted, he or she cannot contest the election and another verdict said that convicted person can contest the election until his or her appeal remains pending with the apex court. In this situation, we will have to work under the direction of the Supreme Court,” the CEC said.

Replying to a question, Nurul Huda said it cannot be said what directive would come from the Supreme Court about Khaleda Zia's participation in the next election.  

The CEC hoped that Khaleda Zia will take part in the election through resolving the problems.

Khaleda landed in jail on February 8 after a special court sentenced her to five years' rigorous imprisonment in Zia Orphanage Trust graft case, dealing a severe blow to BNP ahead of the upcoming national elections.

Yesterday, replying to another query, CEC Nurul Huda told reporters on the SC premises that the EC is a constitutional institution and the chief justice is superior constitutional post holder; therefore, he (CEC) had paid a courtesy call on the chief justice.

He also said the High Court can assist the EC to hold the elections in a fair manner through giving directions.