Dhaka: Bangladesh's military-backed government Tuesday said it would completely lift the state of emergency ahead of the parliamentary polls deferred to Dec 29.

"No elections will be held under emergency. The government will lift the state of emergency at a reasonable time," Hossain Zilliur Rahman, a key adviser to the interim administration, told reporters after a meeting of the panel of advisers negotiating with political parties for a credible election.

Army chief Moeen U. Ahmed, also announced that he would request the government to end nearly two years of emergency rule ahead of the general elections.

"The government needs to do this," said the army chief. However, no date was specified.

The crucial announcements came after the Election Commission revised the poll schedule by 11 days from the previously announced voting date of Dec 18 in the face of pressure from the immediate-past ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party-led alliance.

Bangladesh's President Iajuddin Ahmed promulgated the state of emergency Jan 11, 2007, suspending all civil and political rights in the wake of political turmoil.

The parliamentary elections, which were originally scheduled for Jan 22, 2007, were also postponed because of the proclamation.

Bangladesh's major political parties, rights groups, international donors and poll observers have long been asking the government to lift the state of emergency to create an atmosphere conducive for fresh elections.

The Election Commission, earlier, requested the government to lift the state of emergency as the parties demanded.

 

Source : IANS