JS polls to be held right on schedule: CA

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Chief Adviser (CA) Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed has said there is no doubt that the stalled general election will be held on schedule, reports UNB.
"I'm optimistic and confident. The election will be held right on schedule," he said in an interview with Xinhua Correspondent Wang Xuemei Thursday ahead of his China visit.
"We're moving towards the election. We've just completed the finalisation of voter list with photographs, which includes more than 80 million people," the Chief Adviser said.
Dr Ahmed said the government is providing all facilities to hold a free, fair and credible election. "We'll overcome all the challenges, and hold the election on schedule," he said.
When asked whether the election would be held under the state of emergency, the CA said, "We'll relax it for the purpose of the election as much as is necessary."
He said the government would continue to review the situation to see how they can make it possible for holding a free, fair and credible election in which the voters would come freely to cast votes according to their best judgment.
Dr Ahmed who is paying an official visit to China on September 15 said China is a very important development partner of Bangladesh, as bilateral cooperation has been expanded in many fields. The CA expected that his visit would further strengthen the already very strong and cordial friendship between the two countries.
"China has been assisting us in economic growth," said the Chief Adviser, who is going to attend the closing ceremony of Beijing Para Olympic and meet Chinese President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao.
China's contribution to the infrastructure sector is evident, said the CA, noting the six friendship bridges and the Bangladesh-China friendship conference centre.
He also expected closer economic cooperation with China and more Chinese investment. "I hope my visit will strengthen economic cooperation in different fields and trade between the two countries, and increase Chinese investment in Bangladesh," he said.
He welcomed China's investment, especially in manufacturing and infrastructure sectors. Chinese contractors will be most welcome to construct the proposed Padma multipurpose bridge, which will be the largest bridge in the country, he added.