DHAKA: BNP senior vice chairman Tarique Rahman, also son of party chairperson Khaleda Zia, is unqualified to participate in the 11th general elections of the country in 2019.

The situation arose as the High Court handed down seven year of imprisonment and fined Tk 20 crore to him on July 21 (Thursday) in a money laundering case filed by Anti Corruption Commission (ACC).

According to the Representation of the People Order (RPO), 1972, any person convicted for two years of imprisonment cannot compete in the general elections if he does not have a five years’ window after serving in the jail.

This means Tarique Rahman is ineligible to contest in the general polls at least in the next 12 years.

Election Commission (EC) deputy secretary level officials told banglanews that Tarique is unqualified to participate even in the 12th national polls as there must have a five year gap between serving in the jail and participating in the elections.

He, however, will be qualified to contest if the appellate division of the Supreme Court changes the HC verdict or put a stay order.

BDST: 2146 HRS, JUL 22, 2016
SR