Convicts should not contest polls, says Quader.

Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader on Sunday said the convicted people should not contest the upcoming national election on moral grounds. "It's better for the convicted persons to stay away from the election on moral grounds. Awami League doesn't support it morally," he said while addressing a press briefing at party chief's Dhanmondi political office. The Appellate Division on Sunday stayed a High Court order that had allowed a convicted person to take part in the national election, blocking the way for those sentenced to over two years' imprisonment to join the upcoming parliamentary elections billed for December 30. Following the apex court's verdict, many BNP leaders, including its chairperson Khaleda Zia, cannot participate in the election as they were convicted in various cases.

Describing Jatiya Oikyafront's 'failure' to announce its Prime Minister candidate before the election as its primary defeat, Quader said, "Although there're many leaders in the platform, there's no one who can take the responsibility of the prime...