Dhaka: "The new caretaker government in Bangladesh would announce fresh poll dates after the council of advisors take stock of the current situation in the country and hold discussions with various political parties," official today said.

The polls scheduled for January 22 were put off after President Iajuddin Ahmed resigned as head of the caretaker government and proclaimed a state of emergency in the country.

The officials said the new dates would be set after the council of advisors take stock of the situation along with the demands of the political groups to ensure a free and transparent election so that poll results does not trigger any more unrest.

The demands of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's Awami League-led mega alliance are introduction of voters' ID cards, correct voters' list and what they call reshuffling of the administration to remove partisan men.

Advisors M A Matin and Mainul Hosein have said that the reforms were priorities of the new caretaker government led by Fakruddin Ahmed.

"They said there was no longer a time limit for holding elections as the constitutional 90-day timeframe was not applicable now. But, what was important was to ensure that all measures were taken to hold a credible election," they said.