DHAKA, Oct 23, 2023 (BSS) - Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) counsel Khurshid Alam Khan today said people like BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia and Awami League lawmaker Haji Selim, who have been convicted and sentenced to more than two-year jail term, will not be allowed to take part in next general election.

The senior advocate said this following the release of full text of a High Court judgment saying a person sentenced to more than two years jail term will be considered constitutionally incompetent for taking part in election.

The High Court bench of Justice Md Nazrul Islam Talukder and Justice KM Hafizul Alam pronounced the judgment on November 17, 2018, rejecting petitions filed by five BNP leaders, convicted in a corruption case earlier. The full text of the judgment was released and published on the website of the Supreme Court on Sunday.

"The High Court in the full text of its judgment said there is no way a person can take part in the election unless and until his sentence is scrapped by the higher court. As per this judgment, No person including Begum Khaleda Zia and Haji Selim, who have been sentenced to more than two-year jail term, can take part in the next general polls, as their sentences have not been canceled," Khurshid Alam Khan added.

The anti-graft body lawyer, however, said there might be a window of opportunity for them if the Appellate Division modify or scrap this High Court judgment.