Ban on indoor politics to go at an 'appropriate' time, CA tells VOA

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Chief Adviser (CA) Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed Friday said the ban on indoor politics would be lifted at an appropriate time in near future and parliamentary elections held before the end of next year, reports UNB.
"Already political parties have come up with reforms spontaneously … there is no difference of opinion on the lifting of the ban. It will be withdrawn in near future at an appropriate time…," he said in an interview with VOA Bangla Service chief Iqbal Bahar Chowdhury.
Dr Fakhruddin reiterated his optimism about the holding of the stalled parliamentary elections before the end of 2008 on completion of all necessary reforms by the Election Commission (EC).
Asked about the completion of electoral rolls with photos by the timeframe for the elections, he said it took some time to find out an acceptable personality for the office of the chief election commissioner and two other election commissioners.
He said the government has agreed in principle to make the EC independent of the government.
The EC, he said, has already made some reform proposals to update election rules and regulations and the codes of conduct and held meetings with representatives of the civil society and professional groups.
Besides, the CA said the EC has begun a model project on preparation of voter's list with photos at Sreepur, which is nearing completion amid enthusiasm of the people. The EC, he said, will soon start preparing voter's list in Rajshahi City Corporation.
"I presume, the EC has made substantial progress in preparing a flawless electoral roll and I believe, the momentum of its work will increase in the coming days enabling the holding of a free, fair and acceptable election before the end of 2008," he said.
Asked about the political parties' demand for withdrawal of ban on indoor politics to hold party councils to finalise their reforms, the CA said it is the internal matter of political parties. He, however, said reform works are continuing.
Asked if it would be possible to complete the corruption cases against politicians before the elections, he said the tribunals are trying the cases in a transparent manner under the laws of the land. Already judgments in some cases have been given while some cases are under trial, he said.
Dr Fakhruddin said it took a little time to prepare rules and regulations, organogram and mobilise manpower for the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), which were not in existence in the past.
The ACC is now more powerful and an effective body, he said and hoped that it would be functioning more expeditiously in future.