The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Dr ATM Shamsul Huda yesterday indicated that the state of emergency would be withdrawn before the city corporation elections expected to be held from April next.

Talking to reporters on his way to the Chief Adviser's Office to meet with Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed, he observed that city corporation polls were not possible amid the state of emergency since the candidates would have to be allowed for carrying out their campaigns.

"How is it possible to hold the polls if the emergency rules are not lifted?" he countered while replying to a query on the matter whether the emergency would go before the local government elections.

Two Election Commissioners-Muhammad Sohul Hossain and Brig Gen (Retd) Sakhawat Hossain accompanied the CEC to the meeting.

The CEC said all activities including holding of national elections would be carried out in accordance with the roadmap announced earlier.

"No problem has appeared in the way to implement the roadmap so far. I cannot tell about the future. However, I hope the roadmap will not be hindered," he said.

About the agenda of the meeting with the Chief Adviser, Shamsul Huda said, "I shall discuss everything with him." He ,however, did not specify what everything actually meant but said, "You (journalists) will know tomorrow everything what was on our table."

Replying to a question, he reiterated that the ninth national polls would be held by the end of this year adding that the Chief Adviser also made a promise in this regard.

The CEC, however, did not make any comment on the reported resentment by the two Commissioners on the ordinance that freed the EC Secretariat from government control.

It is reported that the two Commissioners were not happy with the ordinance as it empowered the CEC instead of institutionalisation of the EC secretariat.

No briefing was made from any side on the outcome of the meeting with the Chief Adviser. However, sources said holding of city corporation polls, withdrawal of emergency before those elections and different aspects of the ordinance came up in the discussion

Earlier, US Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Donald A. Camp yesterday called on the CEC at his office.

Briefing journalists after the meeting, Donald Camp said that the USA observed that the state of emergency should be withdrawn and fundamental rights should be restored as soon as possible.

He expected the elections in Bangladesh would take place very soon.

Donald Camp however said that full participation of all in the electoral process is vital to democracy in Bangladesh.

"Full democracy is vital to the country. Full participation in the electoral process is vital to the democracy of Bangladesh," he observed.

Terming the meeting with the CEC fruitful one, he said, "We are impressed with the excellent job they (EC) are doing for the future of democracy in Bangladesh.

Replying to a question, the visiting US official said it is important that emergency is lifted and fundamental rights are restored as soon as possible.

He applauded the CEC on progress towards democratic elections and urged continued movement towards reaching the goal by 2008.

Donald Camp encouraged the important role that political parties, media, NGOs, and the civil society play in the electoral process with open dialogue being an essential component.

He reiterated the US government's willingness to provide support to the EC and said, Washington looks forward to seeing the realisation of Bangladeshi peoples' dream of a democratically elected government by the end of this year.