The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

The Additional Director of British Foreign and Commonwealth Office Philip Barton yesterday said Britain likes to see a free, fair and inclusive parliamentary election schedule on December 18 without state of emergency.

" We hope the government will lift the emergency rules and a free, fair and transparent election will be held with the participation of all political parties," he told journalists after a meeting with BNP Secretary General Khandker Delwar Hossain at his NAM flat.

Stephen Evans, British High Commissioner, was present in the meeting, which lasted for more than an hour from 11:30am.

When asked on about the BNP's 7-point demand, Barton hoped that the government would consider their logical demands.

"The government should realise our seven-point demand for holding the election in a free and fair manner" Khandker Delwar told journalists.

He urged the government to consider their 7-point demand immediately with a view to making way for BNP led four-party alliance to take part in the elections by lifting the state of emergency and releasing the detained party leaders and activists.