The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Outgoing British High Commissioner Anwar Choudhury yesterday said they would hope that the state of emergency would be lifted ahead of holding elections so people can take preparations for joining the polls without any hurdles.

He made the crucial remark to reporters after making a farewell call on Education and Commerce Adviser Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman at the Commerce Ministry.

"In Bangladesh people want freedom during election period as people take election as a festival. So, we hope that this situation will be created through withdrawal of the state of emergency ahead of the elections," said the Bangladeshi-origin British diplomat. Asked what if the emergency is not lifted, he said if emergency is not lifted ahead of the elections, then emergency should be relaxed to a maximum extent for holding a free, fair, credible and safe election.

"But all have to consider normal law-and-order situation, and for that we said about relaxation of the emergency in maximum level. We hope that it would be lifted," Anwar said, adding that a situation should be created so people can go around doing election campaign in a safe atmosphere.

On people's doubt about the holding of the election in appropriate time, the High Commissioner said that he is hopeful about holding election as per electoral roadmap as he is an "optimist".

"If people have any doubt about the election in time…Their past experience is responsible for that. But, we are not observing any doubt about the holding of election according to the scheduled time," he said.

Anwar said the government would have to take initiative to remove the uncertainty from public mind. "Declaration of election schedule can remove people's doubt over holding elections."

The HC said people believe that election would be held in December or earlier, but the declaration of election schedule could make people confident in this regard.

"Caretaker government gave assurance several times of holding election before the end of 2008 and we have no doubt about it."

Asked about government's pre-dialogue talks with political parties, the outgoing envoy said he is not the right person to make any comment on this point but he hopes a successful dialogue.

"We want fruitful dialogue and through it political parties would come to a commitment and will move forward," Anwar said.