Polls by Dec ‘08

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Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed yesterday reiterated that the next general election would be held by December 2008.

He said the goal of the caretaker government is not only to hold the next general election in a free, fair and credible manner, but also to set up a standard process so that future elections could take place fairly.

The chief adviser made the remarks when Director for Asia at the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office John Dennis made a courtesy call on him at the CA’s office.

The British official renewed the UK government’s support to the caretaker government, particularly its various reform programmes as well as activities related to holding election in a free, fair and neutral manner in the targeted timeframe.

Mentioning various reform measures and preparation of voter list with photographs, the chief adviser said he is hopeful that the Election Commission would be able to accomplish its task as per the roadmap to arrange election in time.

He also mentioned the Election Commission’s dialogue with the political parties on electoral rules and regulations and hoped that they would take necessary steps.

Referring to the reforms in political parties, Fakhruddin said democracy does not mean only casting votes or changing government, it is much more than that. There should be a change in political culture so that honest, dedicated and competent persons can come up to contest in elections.

John Dennis appreciated the Chief Adviser’s speech at the 62nd session of UNGA and also his speech in the high-level event on climate change and Bangladesh’s role in global initiative to face the challenge of global warming and climate change.

The British official stressed Bangladesh-UK cooperation in tackling the climate change.

British High Commissioner in Dhaka Anwar Choudhury, Secretary at CA’s Office Kazi M Aminul Islam and DG (Europe and European Union) at the Foreign Ministry Md Nazmul Quaunine were present during the meeting.

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