http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=3D35235
Tuesday, May 6, 2008 12:05 AM GMT+06:00 Front Page
UK hopes for polls without emergency
Outgoing HC tells AL, BNP leaders
Outgoing British High Commissioner Anwar Choudhury yesterday said the
UK government hopes the general election in Bangladesh would be held
without a state of emergency in force.
He said if a complete withdrawal is not possible, emergency should be
lifted to the maximum extent as soon as possible.
He made the observations while talking to reporters after separate
meetings with Awami League's (AL) acting president Zillur Rahman and
BNP chairperson-appointed secretary general Khandaker Delwar Hossain.
During discussions with the UK envoy, Zillur said his party would not
participate in any election without its president while Delwar said
former prime ministers Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina would have to be
freed without delay.
Anwar Choudhury said he hopes there would be a free, fair and credible
election by the year-end and Bangladesh will make a step towards
democracy by forming a meaningful parliament.
He also observed that the Election Commission (EC) and the Anti-
Corruption Commission are working in unison towards an acceptable
election according to the electoral roadmap.
Asked about the two major political parties' stance against taking
part in any election without release of their heads, he said he won't
make any comment since the issue involves a judicial process.
He however said what is important is that there should be a level
playing field so all political parties can participate in the election
without having to suffer any discrimination or disadvantages. =93If
there is a level playing field, it is up to players to play.=94
The outgoing UK envoy said he is pleased to see =93good progress being
made in some critical areas like preparation of the voter list, which
should be finished in July=94.
Everyone should strive to take the country towards a middle-income
nation by 2020.
Coming out of Zillur's Gulshan residence, Choudhury told reporters,
=93It was a farewell call. We've discussed many things--the current
state, concerns and hopes, and the forthcoming election."
The AL acting chief said he had talked about his party's demands at
the 45-minute meeting that began at 11:00am.
"We've told him that first and foremost we want release of Sheikh
Hasina and withdrawal of the state of emergency, announcement of the
election date and an end to price spiral of essentials."
Later, the Bangladesh-born British high commissioner went to meet
Delwar at the latter's Nam flat.
Talking about the meeting, the BNP secretary general told reporters,
=93We again said that the two leaders must be freed and allowed to take
part in the elections to strengthen democracy.=94
He said people would not accept any stage-managed election.
Besides, he said, the state of emergency must be lifted to restore the
rights of political parties.
=93The government is filing cases to harass people while human rights
violations have become commonplace in the state of emergency,=94 Delwar
observed, adding that those detained are deprived of the treatment
they are entitled to receive.
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