The New Nation - Internet Edition

Election Commission in crisis?

Hasnat Abdul Hye

Suddenly, the Election Commission appears to be faced with a crisis, though not of the paralysing kind. The Chief Election Commissioner, being a seasoned bureaucrat, said euphemistically that the Commission was in a 'critical stage.' One can easily understand this, given the circumstances. The Commission was lagging behind in respect of some of the milestones announced earlier in the Road Map for election. It has been able to make up for the delay in accomplishing the milestones and was on track to hold the election on 18 December, as announced by the Chief Adviser. The objection by most of the political parties and refusal by a few to be registered under the Representation of the People Order, 2008 have been amicably settled. In this regard, both the Election Commission and the political parties demonstrated commendable understanding and a spirit of accommodation. But the registration of one of the parties has hit a snag as an objection against it has been submitted to the Election Commission. The matter cannot be resolved without giving a hearing to both sides. This is likely to take some time, which will mean that the registration of the party cannot be completed within the stipulated date. However complex, the issue will be resolved one way or the other soon, it is expected. The progress in registering other parties having no similar problem has been slow, making it impossible to meet the deadline on 30 October. Under the circumstances, the deadline for registration of parties will have to be extended, at least by a week.

The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) attributed the 'critical stage' not only to the objection made against a particular political party. He also had in mind the 3 writ petitions pending before the High Court over the legality of the demarcation of constituencies that was made by the Commission. On 10 July 2008 a gazette notification was published to give effect to the new demarcation of the existing constituencies. Three writ petitions were made before the High Court challenging the authority of the Election Commission to change the constituencies for the purpose of allocating parliamentary seats. One of the petitioners of the writ has submitted to the Court that according to the Constitution only the parliament can bring changes in the constituencies and, as such, the gazette notification issued by the Election Commission should be declared ultra vires. The High Court issued orders staying the action of the Election Commission and asked it to show cause why the interim order should not be ruled as final. The counsel of the Commission argued before the Court that according to Section 8 of the Delimitation of Constituencies Order, 1976 delimitation is in order after a new census. Article 125 of the Constitution has been cited to back the argument that no one can challenge any law relating to delimitation of constituencies. The counsel for the petitioner submitted to the Court that the petitioner did not challenge the Electoral Rules, but the legality of the powers of the Commission to exercise that power. It has been submitted furthermore to the Court that the Constitution has given power to the Election Commission to hold election but not to delimit the existing constituencies. All the three writ petitions that have been made challenging the authority of the Election Commission were heard by the High Court. The Court after hearing both sides on Thursday said that Judgement would be given next Sunday. It may go either way, needless to say.

According to the orders of the High Court, gazette notification issued by the Election Commission regarding demarcation of constituencies was stayed till 6 November 2008. This means that even if the Court's orders go in favour of the Election Commission, it cannot announce the election schedule on 2 November as announced earlier. Taking this reality in view the Commission has now informed that the election schedule will be announced later. In the absence of the operation of the gazette notification, the Commission cannot also publish the electoral rolls against the constituencies delimited. More importantly, if the Commission wants to hold election on the basis of the delimited constituencies, it has to wait for the Court's judgement and if this goes against the Commission the new constituencies will be inapplicable for the next election. In this event, it may be difficult to hold election on 18 December unless the alternative open to the Commission is availed of. One cannot argue about the complexity of legal process that has been unleashed after the writ petitions were submitted. Important constitutional issues have been thrown up by the writ petitions and these required detailed examination and reasonable interpretation. Whatever the urgency, the legal process could not be telescoped.

The Election Commission has to think about the alternatives in case the judgement of the Court goes against it. One way out for it may be to hold election on the basis of the existing constituencies, leaving the delimitation to the next parliament. It may be argued that having made a gazette notification for newly delimited constituencies, the old constituencies are no longer valid. But the operation of the gazette notification of 10 July 2008 having been stayed, the new constituencies cannot have come into existence. According to both commonsense and law, if the new constituencies cannot be given effect to, the old constituencies should prevail. If the Election Commission wants to hold election on 18 December, 2008 as per announcement, this will be the reasonable decision to take. The Court will not have any objection to that and presumably, neither will the petitioners.

The Election Commission may have been in a 'critical stage' due to the writ petitions and the delay in registration of political parties. Come Sunday next, it will know about the outcome of the writ petitions, ending uncertainty and suspense. It will have enough time to complete the remaining formalities for holding the election on 18 December, as scheduled.

Polls schedules delayed: Legal wrangle over demarcation of JS seats not yet resolved

Chief Election Commissioner Dr ATM Shamsul Huda
talking to newsmen at his office on Thursday. Election
Commissioners M Shakhawat Hossain and Sohul Hussain are
seen. FocusBangla

Pulack Ghatack

Amid mounting speculations about holding the much-awaited parliamentary polls on December 18, the Election Commission (EC) yesterday backtracked from its decision to announce schedule on November 2 in view of a legal wrangle over re-demarcation of constituencies.

However, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) ATM Shamsul Huda and advisers of the interim government were optimistic enough to assure that the election will take place in the declared date after removing the obstacles to it.

The High Court yesterday set November 2 for its crucial judgment on the delimitation dispute over electoral constituencies while, the EC yesterday made a separate appeal to the Supreme Court to overturn a stay on the redrawing of constituencies. A full bench of the Supreme Court will hear the EC's appeal on the same day.

CEC Shamsul Huda yesterday told journalists that the Commission would not be able to announce the election schedule on Sunday and they will have to wait until the Court resolves the issue.

"We have no control over the court and so we will have to wait until the Court gives a decision."

About any rethinking to retreat from its decision to hold the general election with re-drawn constituencies he said, "We have no alternatives. Re-demarcation of the electoral seats is our constitutional obligation."

As the radio and television channels broadcast the announcement of the CEC, speculations and rumours gripped the nation over the crucial election for restoration of democracy.

The CEC, however, said that he is still hopeful of staging the general election on December 18. Even if the schedule is deferred, the declared polling date on December 18 would not be changed.

"If the schedule is declared on November 2, we will get more time to prepare. Now we have less time, but it will not hamper the elections," Huda said.

Election commissioners M Sakhawat Hussain and Muhammad Sohul Hussain hoped that the commission would be able to declare the schedule in the first week of November.

Two advisers of the caretaker government also tried to dispel doubts about holding the general election on the declared date.

Commerce Adviser Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman and Communications Adviser Ghulam Quader yesterday told reporters the parliamentary polls would go ahead as scheduled despite the complicacies over the newly drawn constituencies.

Dr Zillur said the caretaker administration would help stage the general election as planned.

He said, "The preparation for election is underway in full swing. The government has left all doubts behind much earlier. The government is doing everything to ensure the election."

"The government wants to stage the elections with the participation of all parties. It has successfully crossed all the milestones to achieve the target amid the day-to-day uncertainties," the adviser said.

"But it is also important whether the political parties are making the same atmosphere for the people. The politicians will have to make sure whether they will be able to maintain a stable condition after the election," he added.

Ghulam Quader said, "There is no doubt about the upcoming elections whatever the outcome of the re-demarcation of electoral boundaries be."

"There is no confusion that a free and fair election will be held as per the declared date."

On the accord between the government and the political parties on the elections, the adviser said the parties had already said they were going to participate in the elections.

On the demands of the parties to lift the state of emergency prior to elections, Quader said, "We will make the move whenever we feel the necessity."

Asked about the government's stance on banning the loan defaulters and convicted people from elections he said: "The government will stick to its position about the matter."

In view of the latest situation, the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners M Sohul Hussain and Brig Gen (retd) M Sakhawat Hossain went to meet Chief Adviser of the caretaker government Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed at his office in the afternoon.

SC rejects Hasina’s bail prayer

Sheikh Hasina

Staff Reporter

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court yesterday rejected the bail petition of former prime minister and Awami League (AL) chief Sheikh Hasina in an extortion case filed by businessman Noor Ali.

A five-member Appellate Division bench, headed by chief justice MM Ruhul Amin, delivered the verdict after concluding the hearing on the bail appeal.

Barrister Shafiqe Ahmed, Hasina's lawyer termed the verdict unexpected one and regretted that while the court was allowing bail to the convicted people, Hasina's bail appeal has been rejected. "It is really shocking," he noted.

Attorney general Salauddin Ahmed said the court rejected the appeal on the basis of a majority ruling by the judges. Earlier during the hearing, Hasina's senior counsel Barrister Rafique-ul-Huq said that the court should allow bail considering his client's illness.

Mentioning that Hasina was abroad for treatment on parole, Huq said: "Parole is meant for temporary release only while bail is a matter of consideration for permanent release by the court."

The High Court had previously rejected Hasina's bail appeal on Sept 29 on her petition filed challenging the merit of the case. Later Sheikh Hasina appealed to the Appellate Division against the High Court order on Oct 5.

Unique Group chairman Noor Ali filed the Tk 5 crore case on June 13 last year against Hasina, her cousin Sheikh Helal and his wife Rupa Chowdhury.

The High Court on Aug 7 last year, allowed Hasina's bail but the Appellate Division on Aug 27 stayed the bail order.

The former prime minister was arrested on July 16 last year and allowed temporary release on June 11 this year to seek medical treatment abroad.

Acting AL president Zillur Rahman said the rejection of Hasina"s bail has equally shocked the party leaders, activists and the people of he country.

Race to White House

Trailing behind Obama in the battle-ground states, McCain made a strong pitch for his candidacy as representing mainstream America and criticised Obama for being "far left". In an interview given to Larry King of CNN, McCain again commented on Obama's relation with Bill Ayers, a member of the 1960s militant organisation 'Weatherman' and wanted clarification of this relationship. He also hinted at a meeting that Obama reportedly had with a Palestinian leader before becoming Senator. The latter reference was seen as a caution to the Jewish voters against Obama.

In the battle-ground state of Florida, Obama held a joint midnight rally on Thursday with president Clinton where the latter told the audience that Obama had a better plan for the economy as a whole and for health and education. He told the audience "Barack Obama represents America's future, and you've got to be there for him next Tuesday."

Obama continued to lead in the battle-ground states but the percentage points overall had come down to 4 from 8 percentage points a week ago. This indicates that McCain is gaining ground and this can turn the polls in his favour in the states where the margin is narrow. With a fast changing political landscape, it is too early to predict a landslide victory for Obama, though his camp is euphoric about it. As a rear-guard action, McCain is pointing out to the voters the danger of Democratic control of both the executive and the legislature.

Political leaders disappointed

Staff Reporter

Leaders of major political parties yesterday expressed their concern over the Chief Election Commissioner's remark that election schedule cannot be announced until disposal of the delimitation disputes over parliamentary constituencies by the court

As per the previous announcement, the Election Commission was supposed to declare the polls schedule on November 2.

Acting president of Awami League Zillur Rahman told reporters that a fresh doubt has raises on holding of the parliamentary polls on December 18 centering the delimitation disputes. He warned that the nation would fall in crisis both politically and economically, if the election is not held on the time announced by the Chief Adviser.

The AL leader suggested the government should take necessary measures to resolve the dispute as soon as possible to hold the elections on December 18.

Awami League presidium member Tofail Ahmed said there is no option but to hold the elections on December 18.

"We do hope the legal battle on the delimitation issue will be resolved soon and the elections will be held on the declared day," he hoped.

Talking to The New Nation BNP chairperson's adviser Brig Gen (Retd) Hannan Shah expressed his deep concern over the CEC's statement.

He, however, did not consider it as a pretext to delaying the parliamentary polls.

The outspoken BNP leader cautioned the government not to plot any conspiracy for deferring the polling date.

Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant Secretary General Mohammad Kamaruzzaman termed the CEC's statement as a move not to hold elections on December 18.

"The election must be held on the declared day. Otherwise, the nation would fall in a deep crisis," he apprehended.

The Jamaat leader suggested the government as well as the Election Commission to hold the elections on the basis of old demarcation of constituencies.

President of Communist Party of Bangladesh Manjurul Ahsan Khan said after the CEC's statement the doubt about holding the elections on December 18 had increased.

He questioned the sincerity of the government in resolving the delimitation disputes saying that the government resolved many political issues quickly but it is not clear why this is being delayed.

"It will be a victory of the anti-election forces, if the polls do not take place on December 18," he warned.

35m people poor, hungry, says study

Staff Reporter

At least 35 million people in the county, around a quarter of its population, face acute poverty and hunger.

Dowry payments of more than 200 times the daily wage and costly medical expenses are major causes of this chronic poverty says research from the University of Bath.

Dr Peter Davis, of the Centre for Development Studies based in the University's Department of Economics and International Development, has been investigating the issues forcing families into poverty as part of a long-term study in collaboration with the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), the Chronic Poverty Research Centre (CPRC), and Data Analysis and Technical Assistance Ltd., Dhaka (DATA), says a press release.

The research found that those households with lower levels of education, that owned less land, had fewer assets and had many young children and elderly relatives, faced the most difficulty in escaping poverty.

The custom of paying a dowry to the future husband's family when a daughter is married is illegal in the country, but is still practised by most families living in rural areas.

Payment is normally upwards from Tk 20,000 (around £190 or $313 US) and since typical earnings are only Tk 100 (94 pence) per day, this can be a major contributor to poverty for many families with daughters.

Dr Davis found that medical expenses involved in the care of elderly relatives were also a common issue for families living in poverty.

"Some families face a 'double whammy', having to pay wedding expenses and dowry for their daughters at the same time in life when elderly relatives are needing more expensive medical care," said Dr Davis, who spent several months in the country training and working with researchers from DATA Bangladesh to conduct interviews with families for the study.

"Measures such as improving education, employment and health services could play a really significant role in alleviating poverty in these families.

"The government in Bangladesh has already taken positive steps in increasing the enrollment of girls in schools, which should decrease the practice of giving and demanding dowry."

The researchers surveyed 2,000 households based in 102 rural villages across the country, that were originally interviewed between eight and 14 years ago, to assess the changes in poverty and well-being that occurred over time.

They found that almost half moved out of poverty during this time, but around one fifth remained chronically poor and a small percentage fell into poverty.

Uniquely, the researchers combined household data with about 300 individual life histories to provide a deeper understanding of the causes of chronic poverty in the country, rather than purely using quantitative conventional research approaches.

Dr Davis explained: "This research is different because it is qualitative as well as quantitative, so it doesn't just measure the trends, but also finds out the stories behind the trends.

"The life histories collected for this study show that many poor people's lives improve and decline in a 'saw-tooth' pattern, where slow improvements are reversed by sharp declines caused by events such as illness, large medical expenses, wedding expenses and legal disputes.

"This contrasts with the smooth pattern of progress or decline which is often suggested by more conventional research approaches."

Dr Davis presented the findings with collaborators Agnes Quisumbing from IFPRI and Bob Baulch from the Chronic Poverty Research Centre at a workshop in August in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

The workshop was chaired by the director of the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies and was attended by more than 100 senior government officials, international donors and civil society representatives.

Dr Davis added: "We've had a lot of very positive feedback on the research we presented at the workshop and we are planning to hold further meetings with senior government officials and policymakers after the December elections."

3 shot, mugged Tk 5.5 lakh in city,Tongi

Staff Reporter

Miscreants attacked and injured two Grameen phone sales representatives and alleged mugged Tk 5.50 lakh from them in two separate incidents of mugging yesterday in the city and suburban Tongi.

In another incident in Merul Badda under Gulshan police station the same day, armed hoodlums shot and injured a manager of a packaging industry wounding him in his right arm, police said.

In Tongi, a group of muggers swooped on Grammen phone representative Mahfuzur Rahman, while he was waiting for a vehicle in front of Cherag Ali Market at about 12:00pm with Tk 3.50 lakh in his possession, witnesses said, adding the attackers fired at Mahfuz's right leg and took away the money from the injured victim.

In another incident, GP representative Ilias Hossain Chanchal sustained bullet injuries as he tried to resist muggers at Natun Rasta of Mir Hazirbagh Jeleypara in Jatrabari at about 1:30pm. Police quoting witnesses said the muggers took away Tk 2 lakh after firing shots on Chanchal injuring his right leg.

In both the cases, the muggers managed to flee the scene after the daring attacks in broad day light in crowded places.

In the third incident also at midday, unidentified criminals waylaid packaging industry manager Nazrul Islam Khan as he came out of the factory at Merul Badda for offering Zohr prayers and fired on him. One bullet hit his right hand, police and witnessed said.

Police is investigating into the incidents that came amid reports of rising incidents of mugging, murders, armed attacks and other crimes in the city and its suburbs recently.

BB Governor says: Importers in trouble for sharp decline in commodity prices

UNB, Dhaka

Importers in trouble following a sharp decline in commodity prices on the international market would be treated liberally and advanced fresh import credits so that the country does not face shortage of essential commodities.

Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr Salehuddin Ahmed held out the assurance when a correspondent during his meeting with senior journalists drew his attention to the plight of importers in the wake of the slump of price of the commodities for the import of which they have earlier opened high-rated import LCs.

"We are aware of it. The financing banks would be advised to reschedule the loan of affected importers and also extend fresh loans for import so that the country does not face crisis of essential commodities," he said.

However, the Governor said, the importers will not be affected much. "They have earned a good profit when the price went up. Taking plus-minus into account they will not be much affected." About the current global recession that knocked down market prices the central bank chief said, "We do foresee no immediate effect on Bangladesh."

Expressing cautious optimism he said it is not correct that the garment sector will be affected in the short term. But it may be affected if the recession lingers.

"Remittance this month (October) has not declined. Our labour market in the Middle-East and Saudi Arabia is unlikely to be affected much," added the Governor.

"Still we are closely watching the situation. It is not Bangladesh Bank alone but different sectors of government are involved. We shall meet soon to review the situation," said Dr Salehuddin.

He admitted that if the recession prolonged, it would leave strain on the national budget. The flow of external grants that financed social sectors, including health and education, could come down.

Dr Saleh refrained from making any comment on a touchy issue like Trust Bank controversy in which ACC chairman and former Chief of the Army Staff Lt Gen Hasan Mashhud Chowdhury was accused.

"Directly, we have no information," he said when a correspondent wanted to know if the Bangladesh Bank had taken action against any commercial bank in the event of heavy losses in foreign currency transactions. "Central Bank has no role on any individual."

About retrieval of huge amounts of money funneled abroad by plutocrats the Governor said it is a difficult task. Even then, some amounts have been brought back with cooperation of other banks following the World Bank's initiative to check corruption and money laundering. More are on the way.

But he would not divulge the amount already retrieved and the amount in the pipeline.

The governor admitted that the commercial banks have social responsibility and assured that corporate bodies would be encouraged toward that.

Earlier, Dr Salehuddin explained various reform measures taken by the central bank to regulate banking and financial sectors, which he said has started paying the dividends.

Deputy governor Nazrul Huda and senior executives were present at the exchange of views.

HC judgment on delimitation of JS seats Sunday

UNB, Dhaka

The High Court yesterday set November 2 (Sunday) for its crucial judgment on the delimitation dispute over parliamentary constituencies that threw into deep doubt about timely declaration of the election schedule.

Schedule for the long-stalled parliamentary polls was supposed to be announced the same day (November 2) according to the timeline set by the Election Commission.

An HC division bench comprising Justice Mir Hasmat Ali and Justice Shamim Hasnain passed the order fixing the date for judgment on its rule as to why the redrawn parliamentary constituencies 'should not be declared illegal'.

The court order came after closing a weeklong legal battle between the lawyers for the Election Commission and nine petitioners identical writ petition, including former BNP lawmaker Abdul Mannan.

In the midst of the concluding day's rule hearings, TH Khan, the principal counsel for Mannan, informed the court that the EC, "without informing the writ petitioner as well as the court", moved a petition in the chamber of Justice MA Matin for vacating the stay on operation of the July 10 disputed gazette notification on delimitation.

And the chamber judge posted the petition for hearing next Sunday in the regular bench of the Appellate Division, he said for information of the court.

Khan also put forward a copy of the EC stay-vacating petition before the bench for affirming the crosscurrents of developments over the vital issue related to the crucial national elections.

On July 10 this year, the Election Commission issued a gazette notification finalizing the list of parliamentary seats with district-wise redrawn boundaries.

The move drew severe flak from political parties that feared it would stand in the way as an obstacle to holding the stalled ninth parliamentary polls as per the roadmap that slated the polls for this coming December.

On August 7, the High Court, following a public-interest litigation writ petition, stayed for three months operation of the EC notification finally redrawing the parliamentary constituencies ahead of the polls that had once been stalled in January last year amid a political crisis over the election issues.

The HC stay will continue up to November 6, court sources said, although the EC earlier had decided to announce the election schedule on November 2.

As a practice, the EC announces schedule for general election at least 42 days before the voting day.

Giving the interim order of stay, the High Court also had issued a rule upon the EC to explain why the impugned notification on the new list of parliament seats 'should not be declared illegal and unconstitutional'.

The former BNP lawmaker, MA Mannan, filed the PIL writ challenging the constitutional validity of the EC's notification on the delimitation, done under the recipe of reforms undertaken by the interim regime following the past crisis over the issues of the parliamentary elections previously set for January 22, 2007.

Mannan, also a former state minister, in his petition contended that as per the constitution, delimitation of constituencies has to be done before the voter list is made. But the EC has redrawn constituencies after completing "more than 99 per cent of voter list".

13 blasts rock Assam: 64 killed, 300 injured

AP, Gauhati

A series of coordinated blasts tore through northeast India on Thursday, killing at least 64 people and sending police scrambling to find any unexploded bombs in a province troubled by years of separatist violence and ethnic tensions.

At least 300 people were injured in the 13 blasts, most caused by bombs and at least one from a hand grenade, said said Subhash Das, a senior official in Assam state's Home Ministry. Das said at least 31 people lost their lives in five explosions in the state capital, Gauhati.

The largest bomb exploded near the secretariat - the office of the Assam state's top government official - leaving bodies and mangled cars and motorcycles strewn across the road. Bystanders dragged the wounded and dead to cars that took them to hospitals. Police officers covered the burned remains of the dead with white sheets, leaving them in the street.

No one claimed responsibility for the blasts that went off within minutes of each other, but dozens of militant separatist groups have been fighting the government and one another for years in the region.

"I was shopping near the secretariat when I heard three to four loud explosions. Windowpanes in the shops shattered and we fell to the ground as the building started shaking," said H.K. Dutt, who was lightly wounded by shrapnel.

"I stood up and saw fire and smoke billowing out, then I looked down and saw blood on my shirt," Dutt said.

N.I. Hussain, Gauhati's deputy inspector general of police, told the CNN-IBN news channel that police in the state were on high alert and searching for more unexploded bombs. "There may be more blasts. You never know," he said.

Later, dozens of people angry over the blasts took to the streets of the state capital, stoning vehicles and torching at least two fire engines. Police imposed a curfew on the city and shut down roads leading in and out of the area.

U.S. Ambassador David Mulford condemned the attack.

"Americans share their sorrow and outrage at these horrific attacks on innocent people," he said.

The isolated region wedged between Bangladesh, Bhutan, China and Myanmar with only a thin corridor connecting it to the rest of India is a hotbed for separatists who accuse the central government of exploiting the region's natural resources while doing little for the indigenous people - most of whom are ethnically closer to Burma and China than to the rest of India.

More than 10,000 people have died in separatist violence over the past decade in the region.

The area also has been hit recently by ethnic clashes. At least 49 people were killed in July in violence between members of the native Bodo tribe and recent migrants to the area, most of whom are Muslims.

Bangladesh to contest UNSC seat

UNB, Dhaka

Bangladesh will contest UN Security Council non-permanent membership in 2015 for which Dhaka moves in advance for garnering support, Foreign Adviser Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury stated Thursday.

After a meeting with new Canadian High Commissioner Robert McDougall, he said they discussed Bangladesh and Canada's UNSC membership and how to cooperate mutually as Canada will contest membership in 2010 and Bangladesh in 2015. He noted that Bangladesh and Canada work together in internal spheres. Besides, they discussed various aspects of bilateral relations, including trade and technical cooperation between the two countries.

In reply to a question, the Canadian High Commissioner hoped for free and fair elections in Bangladesh on December 18. On Tuesday, the Canadian High Commissioner handed over translucent ballot boxes to CEC Dr Shamsul Huda.

Asked about credibility of elections under the state of emergency, the Canadian envoy plainly said, "It is your country, your democracy and your elections."

Ban Ki-Moon’s visit to Bangladesh has political relevance

UNB, Dhaka

Foreign Adviser Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury Thursday said UN secretary-general Ban Ki-Moon's upcoming visit, beginning Saturday, would be in recognition of the achievements gained by the people of Bangladesh that drew world attention.

"UN Secretary General's visit has political relevance. Whichever country he visits gets recognition. We hope his visit to Bangladesh will also be a recognition of our achievements," he told reporters after a meeting with UNCTAD secretary general Supchai Panitpakdi at the Foreign Ministry.

He said Ban Ki-Moon's visit is a reflection of the fame achieved by Bangladesh in international arena over

the decades as Bangladesh is considered as an important player on world stage.

Describing his visit as very important and significant, the Adviser said various issues, including social and economic development, UN development projects and Bangladesh's role in UN peacekeeping, will figure prominently during official talks with the secretary general.

Dr Iftekhar said he has learnt that Ban Ki-Moon, who is coming on November 1 (Saturday), would also hold meetings with political leaders to discuss the future of Bangladesh.

He observed that Bangladesh is doing well and maintains stability despite current global recession.

Asked if the UN Secretary General's visit will create a positive development in domestic politics, the Adviser quipped: "Positive situation prevails in the country. Had there been no positive situation, he would not visit Bangladesh."

Iftekhar, one of the government negotiators with political parties in the process of transition from the interim regime, said, "I think we are on the right path. We are already on election highway, and all our actions are directed towards the elections."

He hoped that the stability now enjoying the people would prevail in the future too and all, including political parties and civil society, have to play a role in this direction.

He noted that recent visits by foreign dignitaries, including the Commonwealth secretary general and the UNCTAD secretary general, indicate that Bangladesh is getting world attention.

Referring to his participation in an international conference on migration in Manila, the Adviser said, "Our desire is to protect the rights and welfare of our poor workers who are working abroad."

He said the UN secretary general was also present at that conference. The issue of expatriate workers will also be discussed with Ban Ki-Moon during his Dhaka tour.

The Foreign Adviser said the UNCTAD secretary general also praised Bangladesh's agriculture policy and production and food-security measures.