Addressing the nation on January 13, chief adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed announced that the caretaker government would initiate a dialogue with all the political parties on steps to be taken for transition to a democracy. Though he did not specify a time-frame for lifting the emergency, he stated that the emergency and the ban on indoor political activities would be lifted1. On January 17, the army chief of staff, Gen. Moeen Ahmed also asserted that the emergency would not be in place ahead of elections.

Meanwhile, on January 13, the election commission announced the new district-wise list of constituencies with 18 districts being affected, in the number of seats in parliament2.

Among other developments, detained former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was formally charged by a Dhaka court on January 13 with extortion of Tk 2.99 crore3.

• 1. “Bangladesh may lift emergency,” The Hindu, January 14, 2008, at http://www.hindu.com/2008/01/14/stories/2008011451081400.htm
• 2. “EC unveils new list of constituencies,” Daily Star, January 15, 2008, at http://thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=19306
• 3. “Hasina indicted in graft case,” New Age, January 14, 2008, at http://newagebd.com/front.html#1