Bangladesh's former military ruler Hussain Mohammad Ershad stands disqualified to contest the January 22 general elections as the Election Commission Tribunal Sunday dismissed his appeal against rejection of his nomination papers.

Ershad's nomination papers for five constituencies were rejected by the Returning Officers on Dec. 27 on the ground that the High Court sentenced him for two years in jail for squandering state fund while in power.

According to Bangladesh Constitution, a person shall be disqualified for election as member of parliament if he has been convicted for at least two years for a criminal offense involving moral turpitude.

Ershad who is chairman of Jatiya Party filed nomination papers for five constituencies in five districts of Dhaka, Habiganj, Sylhet, Rangpur and Lalmonirhat. His lawyers argued that since Ershad will appeal against the High Court judgment, the two years conviction against him is non-operational.

After nearly one hour hearing on the appeal petitions, acting Chief Election Commissioner Justice Mahfuzur Rahman dismissed the appeal.

Ershad's lawyer Sheikh Sirajul Islam said they did not get justice from the tribunal which dismissed the appeal petitions without explanations.

Deposed president Ershad was convicted for squandering money in buying patrol boats and water purification machines from Japan while he was in power from 1982-90.

Ershad recently joined a grand alliance led by former main opposition leader Sheikh Hasina against the 4-party alliance of former prime minister Khaleda Zia.

Ershad alleged that the cancellation of his nomination papers is a conspiracy to keep him aloof from the election and thwart the grand alliance's victory in the general elections.

In his instant reaction, Ershad said the Election Commission's dismissal order was made through a remote control and it proved there is no rule of law in the country.

He said his Jatiya Party will not participate in the elections.

The grand alliance has already announced nationwide blockade on Jan. 7-8 to press for fresh schedule of the elections and resignation of President Prof. Iajuddin Ahmed from the post of the Chief Advisor of the caretaker government.

According to constitution, a caretaker government supervises the elections. Former ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)- led 4-party alliance ended its five-year tenure on Oct. 27, and handed over power to the caretaker government headed by President Ahmed.

Source: Xinhua