The High Court has decided that the convicts who were sentenced to over two years jail term by the trial court and the appeal remain sub judice cannot contest the election.    

The HC came up with the decision on Tuesday in a verdict that rejected the petitions of five BNP leaders seeking stay orders on their penalties and sentences.

The HC bench of Justice Md Nazrul Islam Talukder and Justice KM Hafizul Alam passed the order.

Following the verdict, now there is no way of contesting the upcoming 11th parliamentary election for BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia who was sentenced to 17 years imprisonment in two graft cases.