The New Nation - Internet Edition

Bdnews24.com, Dhaka

Five UN officials yesterday met Awami League leaders to discuss polls-related issues ahead of a visit by the secretary general.

They included 3 UN staff attached to Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and UN resident coordinator in Bangladesh Renata Dessalien.

The meeting, a prelude to Ban's visit to Bangladesh beginning Nov 1, was part of the consultation process the UN staff members had begun with stakeholders on the Dec 18 polls.

"We have made it clear that the Awami League is very much interested in participating in the upcoming polls. The elections must take place on Dec 18," Farooq Chowdhury, an Awami League adviser leading the talks, told bdnews24.com yesterday

"Hopefully, the UN officials would brief the secretary-general on the latest political situation in Bangladesh and holding of the Dec 18 polls," Chowdhury said.

AL's election steering committee chief H T Imam, former minister Abul Mal Abdul Muhit and two other leaders attended the meeting at the residence of Farooq Chowdhury.

"We have told them that the government will have to create an election-friendly atmosphere. The Awami League has done its part," said Chowdhury.

Farooq Chowdhury said the UN secretary-general might meet the Awami League leadership while in Dhaka.

Ban Ki-moon will travel to the Philippines on October 29 to attend a global meeting on migration and fly to Nepal on October 30. He is scheduled to arrive in Dhaka from Katmandu on Nov 1.