The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

The government yesterday ordered withdrawal of the members of armed forces, deployed across the country 22 months ago in aid of the civil administration after the 1/11 changeover.

The order came out with a government announcement to relax the emergency power rules (EPR) as the country prepares to hold parliamentary elections scheduled for December 18.

President Prof Dr Iajuddin Ahmed yesterday ordered pullout of troops from emergency duties at field level.

According to Bangabhaban spokesman, the President, who is also supreme commander of the armed forces, approved a government proposal for withdrawal of the members of armed forces deployed across the country in aid to civil administration at the field level.

The developments came as the Chief Election Commissioner on Sunday announced the polls schedules for the December 18 parliamentary elections, hours after the High Court cleared ways for the polls in a verdict, dismissing writ petitions challenging the EC gazette on the delimitation of parliamentary constituencies.

Members of armed forces rolled into the streets on January 19 last year to assist civil administration after the emergency was declared on January 11 to cool down political turmoil over an stalled parliamentary elections slated for January 22 last year.

Side by side, the government, issued a gazette notification relaxing the state of emergency to pave the way for carrying out election campaigns including holding rallies and bringing out processions for the coming general elections and upazila polls subject to the conditions of the recently amended Representation of People Order (RPO).

"Subject to the compliance of the rules stated in the RPO and regulations framed under that law, the election campaign related processions and meetings can be held in constituencies of the general elections and in relevant cases, the upazila polls," the gazette read.

Home Adviser of the caretaker government Maj Gen (Retd) MA Matin told reporters that the order would be carried out "with immediate effect".

Asked whether troops were being withdrawn from field level, he replied in the affirmative saying that it would be done soon.

"A gazette is coming. You (journalists) will see it," the Adviser said.

He said, "From now on there will be no restrictions on election-related activities in the country."

Matin hoped that the relaxation of the emergency rules wouldn't again cause deterioration of the law-and-order situation. I'm sure about it," he added.

It may be mentioned that Army Chief General Moeen U Ahmed assured the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon in Dhaka on Sunday that the military would not interfere in the election but would help authorities to conduct it freely and peacefully.