World | Other World Stories
Bangladesh to hold delayed general election in December
Bangladesh will hold its long-delayed general election at the end of December, ending the rule of a military-backed government that seized power and declared a state of emergency more than 16 months ago.
- AP
- Published: 12:03 May 13, 2008
Dhaka: Bangladesh will hold its long-delayed general election at the end of December, ending the rule of a military-backed government that seized power and declared a state of emergency more than 16 months ago.
Fakhruddin Ahmed, interim leader of the caretaker government, did not set an exact date for the election but said in a nationwide televised address on Monday the vote will take place in the third week of December.
"The dawn of the new year shall greet an elected government," said Ahmed, the former head of the country's central bank.
Balloting was scheduled for January 22 last year but was postponed following weeks of political riots that left at least 30 people dead and hundreds injured.
Bangladesh has since then been run by Ahmed's makeshift government, backed by the country's influential military.
Ahmed said political parties will be allowed limited political activities such as holding indoor meetings starting on Tuesday, but authorities will not allow any street rallies.
A ban on political efforts was imposed on January 11 last year when Ahmed's government took power and declared a state of emergency.
Ahmed did not give any timetable for the removal of emergency rule on Monday. "We will consider lifting or easing the emergency rules at an appropriate time," he said.
More from Other World Stories
More from World
News Editor's choice
-
Allies quit ruling coalition in Nepal
Political row could trigger months of street protests and violence
-
Qatar blaze 'started at nursery'
Fire killed 19 including 13 children, at Doha’s main shopping centre
-
Jagan jailed over illegal assets
Andhra Pradesh leader accused of corruption, cheating, conspiracy
