Ruling out the possibility of snap polls, Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader yesterday said the next parliamentary election will be held in the scheduled time, reports UNB. "The Election Commission (EC) will fix the date of the polls. We hope that the next election will be held in December 2018," he said.

While asked about the by-polls of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), Quader said Awami League is looking for a qualified candidate to vie in the by-election. "We are thinking about some potential candidates from inside and outside the party. We will nominate such a candidate who can complete the unfinished the tasks of former Mayor Annisul Haque," Qauder, also the Road Transport and Bridges Minister said.

Dismissing the allegation of BNP that the government is in a hurry to arrange the DNCC by-election, he said the polls will be held within next 90 days.

Asked about the yesterday's violent activities allegedly carried out by BNP activists in front of the Secretariat, Quader said "They (BNP) are heading towards violence after failing in waging a movement."

Replying to a query, he said if BNP takes the path of violence, the government will take proper action. The government doesn't have any play to keep BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia away of the next election, Quader said while asked if the government is trying to keep Khaleda away of the election by giving punishment.

"The government has no such plan. You (Journalists) please ask the court as the court is dealing with the entire matter. The judiciary is absolutely independent. So the court will decide about Khaleda," said Quader.