Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Anisul Huq on Monday said that under the existing law of the country, it does not seem likely that BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia would be able to take part in the next general election.
"If the law allows her to participate in the polls, she would be able to do so, and if the law doesn't allow her to participate, she would not be able to take part in the election,” he said while replying a question of the newsmen at Judicial Administration Training Institute (JATI) in the capital.
“But under the existing law of the country, it does not seem that BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia would be able to take part in the next general election," he added.
The law minister earlier inaugurated the 47th special foundation training course for Assistant Judges.
"As per Article 66 of the Constitution, a person will not be able to take part in national polls if he or she is convicted for a criminal offence involving moral turpitude, sentenced to imprisonment for a term of not less than two years, and unless a period of five years has elapsed since his or her release. She (Khaleda Zia) has been sentenced by the court," Anisul said.
Reiterating his remarks on Digital Security Act (DSA), the law minister said the journalists or the employees of the media should not worry about this act and that it has only been formulated to combat cybercrimes.
"I never denied the fact that once it (the act) was misused and abused. But we have not sat idle at the time; we discussed and researched the matter to stop that (misuse). Now no one is arrested right away after filling a case under DSA," Anisul further said.
Presided over by JATI Director General Justice Nazmun Ara Sultana, the inaugural function was also addressed by Law and Justice Division Secretary Md Golam Sarwar.
