Law will decide Khaleda’s participation in election: CEC

Staff Reporter :
In the recent time, the issue of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s participation in the next parliamentary polls has been resonating in the political landscape.
Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal on Wednesday said that its legal team would examine at an appropriate time if the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party Chairperson Khaleda Zia could participate in the parliamentary elections or not.
The CEC made the comment to reporters at Nirbachan Bhaban while responding to the comment of a lawyer representing Khaleda, who said that the BNP chairperson would participate in the next parliamentary polls scheduled for December 2023 or January 2024.
‘I will not answer any question as to whether Khaleda Zia will take part in polls. It will be examined when it happens. Everything will be according to the law. I can’t say anything in advance,’ said the CEC.
He said that the Election Commission has some framework of laws, and if someone wants to vote, the person has to be fit for that structure.
‘I don’t know what will happen text. So I will not comment on this. If she wants to participate in the election, we will check it legally. There is no legal precedent here. Let the time come, and I will look into everything. I will tell you everything then. It is not right to say anything so early now,’ he added.
Khaleda Zia, convicted in a corruption case, submitted nomination papers for three seats in the 11th parliamentary polls held in 2018. All her nomination papers were rejected. Responding to another question, the CEC said that foreign observers would be given a generous welcome on the EC’s behalf.
‘Those who are interested should get the visa. The ministries of Home Affairs and Foreign Affairs are entrusted with the job. We believe the government wants transparent elections. In that case, the ministers will assist them,’ he added. In response to a question about how the local government elections were held the CEC said that the elections went well.
‘No scene of violence, disorder, or rigging has been seen, and no complaint has been received. I did not see any disorder in the election centre or the surrounding area. Voters cast their votes in a very orderly manner,’ he said.