Parliamentary elections to be held on December 29; AL demands scrapping of Upazila polls; State of emergency to be lifted on December 12; UN polls assessment team: Preparations for elections on right track
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    • The Election Commission announced that parliamentary elections will now be held on December 29 and those for the upazilas on January 22, 20091. The Awami League, formally accepting the fresh poll schedule, has however demanded the scrapping of the upazila election schedule. It has also demanded that the caretaker government announce a specific date for withdrawal of the state of emergency2.

    The BNP-led four-party alliance on its part announced that it would contest the December 29 national polls only if the state of emergency is withdrawn on or before December 11 and the EC’s power to cancel candidature is scrapped or suspended3. Election Commissioner Muhammed Sohul Hussain however stated that the EC would not scrap its power to cancel candidatures as per the powers vested in it under clause 91(E) of the Representation of the People Order4. The caretaker government also agreed to the EC’s proposal to lift the state of emergency on December 12.

    BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina have also announced their intention to contest the December 29 elections, from three constituencies each5.

    In other developments, the European Union had earlier stated that it would be unhappy with the authorities if they held parliamentary elections under the state of emergency6. Meanwhile, a polls assessment team from the UN asserted that preparations for holding the ninth parliamentary election were on the right track and noted that it would be better if the state of emergency was lifted7. The assessment team has also noted that the next polls would be held in a way that will be is credible, a possibility which was not viable two years ago8.

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