International
`Bangladesh govt. should conduct polls on time'

Dhaka, Sept. 25 (PTI): Urging Bangladesh's interim administration to fulfil its "obligations" to observe human rights, the British envoy to Dhaka has said nothing should prevent the government from staging elections and restoring democracy on the stipulated time-frame.

"Challenges remain but nothing should be allowed to deflect the caretaker government from its commitment to restore democratic process and hold credible elections by 2008," High Commissioner Anwar Chowdhury told a reception last night at his residence.

Senior advisers of the interim cabinet, politicians, election commission officials, diplomats and UN officials attended the reception.

"In overcoming obstacles, we have consistently urged the government, army and law enforcing agencies to act impartially, with respect for public safety, human rights, media freedoms, due process of rule of law, in line with Bangladesh's international human rights obligations," Choudhury said.

His comments came as the Commonwealth Secretary General Don McKinnon yesterday warned that the caretaker government could lose popular support by delaying elections until the end of next year.

Bangladesh has been under a state of emergency since January when a reconstituted interim administration was installed with crucial army support after months of political violence and intensified political tension.

The government has promised to stage polls by the end of 2008 after preparing a new voters' list with photographs and completing a campaign against corruption.

More than 170 high-profile politicians including two former prime ministers, Sheikh Hasina of Awami League and her archrival Khaldea Zia of Bangladesh Nationalist party, have been detained to face graft charges as part of the campaign.

The United States urged Bangladesh to take extra steps to restore democracy but said it supported the government's plans to hold credible elections.

Chief adviser of the interim administration Fakhruddin Ahmed, in New York to attend the 62nd UN General Assembly, yesterday said the next general election could be held prior to its already announced time-frame if the Election Commission completed all process in line with its election roadmap.

International

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