The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Chief Election Commissioner Dr ATM Shamsul Huda yesterday called upon President Prof Dr Iajuddin Ahmed at Bangabhaban in the afternoon and apprised him of the Election Commission's latest preparations for holding the December 29 parliamentary elections.

Talking to reporters the CEC said that they discussed election preparation, and necessity of lifting the state of emergency before the elections.

During the meeting, Election Commissioners Muhammed Sohul Hussain and M Sakhawat Hossain, were also present.

Quoting the President the CEC said, state of emergency would be withdrawn at a suitable time after assessing the atmosphere.

"The ensuing general election will not be held under the state of emergency. We do hope it will be withdrawn in proper time," he said adding that lifting of emergency is a much-talked-about issue with all political parties.

He said that the Commission had suggested to the Chief Adviser that the emergency be lifted for polls, and the interim government head had promised that it would be withdrawn in due time.

Dr Huda said the Commission thought it would not be wise to keep the emergency in force on the polling day.

Replying to a question about the fate of corruption suspects, who filed nomination papers, the CEC said those who would not qualify in accordance with the law would be dropped from the race.