Top court, poll panel to decide Zia’s fate: minister

Bangladesh Law Minister Anisul Huq yesterday said court and the election commission (EC) will take the final decision whether BNP chief Khaleda Zia will be able to participate in the upcoming national elections.“The government is not scared of any threat. The law will take its own course ... the government has no control over it,” he said.The minister was replying to queries from reporters about Zia’s participation in the upcoming election after he inaugurated a training course for the district and sessions judge or equivalent judicial officers.Mentioning that the government does not want to keep anyone out of the parliamentary election, the law minister said if anyone cannot participate in the election because of the constitution and law, then the government has nothing to do with it.Anisul said there are certain procedures after BNP chairperson’s verdict and they can appeal to the High Court seeking bail. “The independent judicial system will take action according to the appeal,” he added.While inaugurating the five-day training course, Anisul said the government is working for infrastructural development in judicial sector and this course is one of these processes.The minister also urged the judges to increase the reputation of judiciary through quick, neutral and honest judgment.Last week, chief election commissioner (CEC) Nurul Huda said the national election will not be inclusive without the participation of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).“Definitely, BNP has an important position in the county’s politics. The election won’t be a participatory one without their participation. I had said it earlier and still I’m saying so,” said the CEC.Huda also said the election commission (EC) always wants the participation of all the political parties in the national election and they will be able to avail the same facilities.The EC will conduct the election in a neutral manner, he promised.