London, May. 5 (PTI): Commonwealth Secretary General Don McKinnon has said the military-backed interim government in Bangladesh must hold credible elections as soon as possible.

"The Secretary-General has constantly emphasised the need for credible elections in Bangladesh as soon as possible," the Commonwealth Secretariat said in a statement after former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheik Hasina, who is currently here, met Mckinnon.

The meeting, held on Thursday, was part of his ongoing interaction with the country's political leaders, the statement said.

The Secretary-General visited Bangladesh in March this year and had meetings with representatives of the caretaker government and political parties at that time.

When in Dhaka, he called for the Government to put out a roadmap leading up to inclusive and credible elections. Since then the Government has committed itself to elections no later than the end of 2008.

"In his discussions with Sheikh Hasina, the Secretary General reaffirmed the Commonwealth support for elections and the return to parliamentary Government in Bangladesh as expeditiously as possible.

"He also recognised that there were issues that needed to be addressed in organising these elections and ensuring a sustainable democracy in Bangladesh," the statement said.

He expressed the hope that political parties would play a constructive role in supporting a peaceful environment for the conduct of credible elections.

Mckinnon also stressed the Commonwealth's readiness to assist Bangladesh in every possible way in the electoral process.