The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Holding the general election within December is still possible through discussion over next 48 hours between the government and the two political alliances, former adviser of caretaker government Dr Akbar Ali Khan said yesterday.

"We still hope there will be an initiative to hold discussion," he told reporters after attending an award distribution ceremony of Citi Foundation at the Bangladesh China Friendship Conference Centre.

Finance Adviser Dr Mirza Azizul Islam earlier distributed prizes among the four winners of the Citi Microentrepreneurship Awards 2008. Dr Akbar Ali Khan said both the sides - the government and the political parties - would have to be flexible, but it should be kept in mind that the government has constitutional limitation to hold the election within the next month and avert a constitutional crisis.

"We don't want breaking up of the dialogue. It should be initiated immediately," he said.

Replying to a question, Dr Khan said there is a legal excuse that the election within December would not be extra-constitutional for lack of voter list. "Now we have voter list and there will be a constitutional crisis if the election does not take place."

Another former adviser of caretaker government, Prof Wahiduddin Mahmud said the people had an expectation that a free, fair and neutral election would be held despite the incidents that took place during the last two years.

He urged the two major political alliances to reach consensus if there is a scope for the greater interest of the nation.

"If the parties concerned can set such an example within a day or two, it will be an instance of long-term farsightedness in the country's political, economic and social history," he said.