Khalida demands poll chief's exit over alleged bias

Dhaka: Former Bangladesh prime minister Khalida Zia has called for the resignation of the country's election chief, accusing him of a bias ahead of next month's parliament election.

Khalida's remarks, made late on Friday at a meeting of her Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), sparked fresh concern over the election scheduled for December to end nearly two years of emergency rule.

"Chief Election Commissioner A.T.M. Shamsul Huda is trying to bring a particular party to power through the coming polls. He is not free from bias," Khalida said.

"A free and fair election is not possible under him. So, he must quit," she added.

Huda was not immediately available for comment.

Khalida did not name the party but analysts say she was pointing the finger at the Awami League, headed by her arch rival Shaikh Hasina, also a former prime minister.

"It is obvious that she was referring to the Awami League," said Ataur Rahman, chairman of the Bangladesh Political Science Association.

He said that Khalida was apparently incensed over the election chief's remarks that he wanted to make the December election like the one held in 1970 in then East Pakistan when about 80 per cent people turned out to vote, the highest ever.

The Awami League won that election.

"The CEC should have been more careful about making comments or drawing reference [from the past] because he is walking a tight rope and must try to avoid misgivings," Ataur said.

Bangladesh's military-backed interim government, which launched a campaign against corruption in public life, has vowed to hold a fair vote.