BSS, Dhaka : President Iajuddin Ahmed on Tuesday asked the Election Commission (EC) to take all necessary steps to hold the next parliamentary election in the shortest possible time and assured of all supports in this regard.

The President made the call when Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Dr ATM Shamsul Huda and two Election Commissioners M Sahul Hossain and Brig. Gen (retd) Sakhawat Hossain called on him at Bangabhaban here. They apprised the President of the last three months' activities of the EC in preparing an accurate voters' list with photographs and other works for holding the next general elections, a Bangabhaban press release said.

The CEC also informed Iajuddin Ahmed that the EC has brought some reforms in the electoral rules to make the polls free, fair and neutral. He hoped that the measures would make the electoral process transparent and accountable.

President's Military Secretary Major General Aminul Karim and Secretary of the President's office M Sirajul Islam were also present.

Meanwhile, the CEC after returning from Bangabhaban told reporters that the President had advised them to complete the EC's preparations for holding the next election within the timeframe announced by the government.

"We have informed the President of our activities done over the last three months, progress of our works, future plan and EC's present position to hold the next election in a free, fair and neutral manner," he said.

Describing the 18-month time as a very tight schedule for preparing the voters' list, the CEC said six to eight months time would be required for procurement of polls materials, particularly a large number of electronic devices to be used for the first time in election.

Expressing his optimism to complete the preparations for holding the election within the stipulated time, Dr. ATM Shamsul Huda said the EC is not facing any trouble to carry out its works in absence of the activities of political parties. "But the timeframe for holding the next election will remain unchanged," he said.

On a query, the CEC said the decision for lifting ban on political activities lies with the government. "We can make a request in this regard but the government will withdraw the restriction at a convenient time," he said adding, "the government is not thinking that the time is still suitable for lifting the ban."

The CEC said the election would be held in 2008 and the proposals for amendment to the electoral rules might be finalized by August this year instead of July as expected earlier.




© The Bangladesh Journal