Ruling out the possibility of snap polls, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader yesterday said the next parliamentary election will be held within the scheduled time.

Quader made the remark while talking to journalists at the secretariat.

"The Election Commission (EC) will fix the date for the polls. We hope that the next election will be held in December 2018," he said.

When asked about the by-polls of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), Quader said Awami League is looking for a qualified candidate to contest 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 tasks of former Mayor Annisul Huq," said Quader, also the road transport and bridges minister.

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.

BNP leaders are making this allegation as they are not ready to take part in the election.

Asked about the Tuesday's violent activities allegedly carried out by BNP activists in front of the Secretariat, Quader said, BNP is trying to unleash violence after failing to wage any movement.

Replying to a query, he said if BNP takes the path of violence, the government will take measures accordingly.

The government does not have any plan to keep BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia off the next election, said Quader, when asked if the government is trying to do so.