DHAKA: The Bangladesh Opposition has conditionally accepted Dr. Iajuddin Ahmed as the head of the caretaker Government and given him time till November 3 to prove his neutrality.

The leader of the 14-party Opposition combine and Awami League president, Sheikh Hasina, on Monday met the President and presented an 11-point list of demands.

"We have given him certain demands and will wait till November 3 to see how he acts to prove his neutrality as the Chief Adviser to the caretaker government," Ms. Hasina told journalists. The President's House confirmed the meeting.

Among the demands were cancelling the appointment of 300 election officers, restructuring the Election Commission by removing the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and other Election Commissioners, and restoring the neutrality of the administration.

The Opposition also asked the caretaker Government to depoliticise the police and civil administration, take legal action against the corrupt former Ministers and Bangladesh Nationalist Party leaders and reform the election laws.

Ms. Hasina said that if the President did not take meaningful steps by November 3, the Opposition would go back to its agitation for ensuring free, air and credible elections. "I hope he will take steps because without these his neutrality will remain under question."

Contrary to the usual practice, the President on Monday failed to swear in his 10-member council of advisers. The Opposition refused to nominate five representatives, saying it would do so only after November 3.

Ms. Hasina accused Dr. Ahmed of violating the Constitution by appointing himself Chief Adviser. "We wanted him to appoint a chief to the caretaker Government by Sunday. He has done that. But had he not headed the caretaker Government, it would have been better."

She said that under the present CEC and other political appointees, the election could not be free and fair. "Now all responsibilities lie with the President, and I hope he will not work to bring any particular party to power."

Many constitutional experts said Dr. Ahmed, who was 76 years old, could not head the caretaker Government because according to the Constitution, the Chief Adviser could not be more than 72 years old.

Reports said clashes continued in many parts of the country.

The death toll in the clashes between supporters of the BNP-Jamaat coalition and the Awami League-led Opposition in the past three days has gone up to 30.

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