Khaleda Zia to be released ‘unconditionally’; AL to challenge new electoral rules; FEMA: Aug 4 local body elections well organized; Large scale arrests of JB activists
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    • Reports noted that the caretaker government finalized all procedures for the release of the detained BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, who would be released "unconditionally1." Zia had earlier refused to register as a voter while under arrest2. She had also taken a stand that she would neither apply for release by the caretaker government nor accept a parole3.

    The recently elected Awami League (AL)-backed mayors and councilors decided to pursue a legal challenge against the new electoral rules that required the winners to resign their party positions before taking the oath of office4. The AL has also demanded that the government officially declare Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as the father of the nation5. It also called for the schedule of the ninth parliamentary election to be announced without delay and was against the holding of upazila parishad polls prior to that6.

    Meanwhile, the Fair Election Monitoring Alliance (FEMA), an election-monitoring organization, concluded that the standard of polling at the August 4 local body elections held under the state of emergency was better compared to any other elections in the past7.

    Reports noted that the Bangladeshi government, with assistance provided by the United States, would strengthen the capabilities of Bangladesh Rifles (BDR), increase the number of border outposts (BOP) and build roads to enhance security in border areas. A border management system to check the smuggling of contraband substances and trespassing of criminals would also be established8.

    Government sources announced that they had successfully crushed an Islamic guerrilla group - the Jamayetul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), blamed for the over 400 blasts on a single day in 2005 which claimed 28 lives. Authorities noted that large scale arrests of JMB guerrillas had blunted its influence9.

    The government also reinstated August 15 as National Mourning Day and a public holiday to commemorate the assassination of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in compliance with the High Court ruling. The previous BNP-led alliance government had cancelled the state observance of August 15 as a holiday in 200210.

    In other developments, 193 Bangladeshi police peacekeepers in East Timor received UN peace medals or their services in the Southeast Asian country11.

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