The verdict on the current Japanese boat case was delivered in 1995 and Ershad appealed against the verdict. Apparently, as reported in the press, no action was taken until the case was resurrected from the archives after over 10 years in last months of 2006 when Ershad decided to join the opposition.

President Ershad has suffered a lot for 16 years as the successive governments used the cases against him as political tools to serve their political purposes. Due process of law requires cases to be dispensed timely and not to be abused as political weapon by the government against the opposition political leaders and workers as has been done merrily in our political system. By doing so our elected rulers have lowered the respect, dignity and integrity of our judicial system. Ershad deserves consideration of Presidential pardon. We submit to the President to consider, in pursuance of his power under Article 49 " to grant pardons, reprieves and respites and to remit, suspend or commute any sentence passed by any court, tribunal or other authority" to issue order as appropriate to allow Ershad to participate in the election. Both the cause of justice and that of democracy will be well served by such positive consideration.