Lifting emergency in Bangladesh

UK seeks 'clarification' on lifting Emergency in Bangladesh
Source: The Times of India
December 20, 2007

DHAKA: Britain has sought "clarification" from Bangladesh in regard to the time frame for lifting of the state of Emergency in the country, stressing that the parliamentary polls scheduled before December 2008 must be "seen by all sides as free, fair and credible."

"There are fresh challenges this country is facing. Next year, what is important is that the elections are held and seen by all sides as free, fair and credible. These are all essential characteristics of an election that would be crucial to the future of Bangladesh," British International Development Minister Douglas Alexander told mediapersons during his visit to Bangladesh.

He welcomed Chief Election Commissioner Shamsul Huda's statement that "should the voter list and electoral reforms be completed earlier than planned, the elections can be brought forward from December 2008."

"We asked for clarification when the state of Emergency will be lifted," British High Commissioner Anwar Choudhury, who accompanied the minister, was quoted as saying by the UNB news agency in regard to the lifting of the Emergency rule in Bangladesh....