Parliament to decide on Haji Salim’s membership

Parliament will take a decision on Awami League MP Haji Salim's membership once the Anti-Corruption Commission sends documents of the High Court's judgement to the Parliament secretariat and the speaker, said Zafar Ahmed Khan, senior secretary of the Secretariat.

They are yet to get any documents from the ACC regarding the HC judgement, he told The Daily Star.

"The Speaker will take necessary measures regarding Haji Salim's membership in parliament in line with the Constitution after getting the documents from the ACC," said the senior secretary.

According to Article 66 of the Constitution, there are several provisions under which an MP shall be disqualified for being a member of parliament.

"A person shall be disqualified for election as, or for being, a member of Parliament who has been, on conviction for a criminal offence involving moral turpitude, sentenced to imprisonment for a term of not less than two years, unless a period of five years has elapsed since his release," one of the provisions says.

In the same Article, it also said in case of any dispute over vacating membership of the respective MP, it shall be referred to the Election Commission to hear and determine it and the decision of the Commission on such reference shall be final.