The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Foreign Adviser Dr Iftekhar ahmed Chowdhury Thursday said the state of emergency will be lifted well ahead of December 29 general elections and it will be announced soon.

Talking to reporters after a meeting with the chief of EU election observation mission, Alexander Graf Lamsdroff, at the Foreign Ministry, he hoped that a good election would be held with cooperation from all sides.

The Adviser welcomed the EU election observation mission to monitor the elections, saying that Bangladesh would return to its political tradition characterized by democracy, pluralism and liberalism.

Asked about the lifting of emergency rules, Iftekhar said the matter was discussed with Lamsdroff. "It will be lifted well ahead of the elections…a precise date of lifting (emergency) will be known soon."

He compared the caretaker government with a river and said that as a river ends up in ocean, the caretaker government is taking all towards the ocean of elections.

Earlier, Lamsdroff said they had discussed the upcoming elections and challenges that go along with it.

He said all are expecting for the election that is going to be administered in a very peaceful manner. He thanked the caretaker government for the preparations taken so far.

Asked about the challenges to the election, Lamsdroff said he is still forming an opinion about what are the challenges and is in discussion with leaders of political parties and government. He will share the outcome of his discussion at a press conference on Friday.

About the state of emergency, he said generally, it is desirable that it should be lifted before the elections.

EC Head of the Delegation Dr Stefan Frowein was present in the meeting.